Air embolism
Warning signs
Divers should always be carefully monitored by their colleagues and supervisors so any air or gas embolism can be immediately identified and treated.
Signs and symptoms of an air embolism can include:
- joint or muscle pains
- low blood pressure , which may cause dizziness
- an irregular heartbeat
- breathlessness and fast breathing
- blurred vision
- chest pain
- strong feelings of anxiety and itching of the skin
- a faint blue tone to the skin (cyanosis)
- bloody froth from the mouth
- paralysis or weakness, possibly of one or more limbs
- seizures (fits)
- loss of consciousness
If a scuba diver develops these symptoms within 10 to 20 minutes of surfacing, they probably have an air embolism and should be given 100% oxygen and transferred to hospital as soon as possible, preferably one with a recompression chamber.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
An air or gas embolism is a serious problem that can affect scuba divers. Read about the causes, symptoms and treatments.
How serious is it?
The seriousness of the blockage depends on which part of the body the affected blood vessel supplies blood to and the size of the air bubble. For example, an air embolism in: the arteries to the bra
Warning signs
Divers should always be carefully monitored by their colleagues and supervisors so any air or gas embolism can be immediately identified and treated. Signs and symptoms of an air embolism can include
Treating air embolisms
If a diver develops an air embolism, the only effective treatment is immediate recompression treatment in a special pressurised room called a hyperbaric chamber. The diver should be given 100% oxygen
Preventing an air embolism while diving
The following advice can help reduce your risk of developing an air or gas embolism when diving. Limit the depth and duration of your dives. Come up to the surface slowly and always perform safety
Other causes of air embolisms
Air embolisms alsooccur during surgery or other medical procedures, but this is rare. In hospitals and health centres, care should be taken to prevent this. For example: before injections, air shou
How serious is it?
The seriousness of the blockage depends on which part of the body the affected blood vessel supplies blood to and the size of the air bubble. For example, an air embolism in: the arteries to the bra
Warning signs
Divers should always be carefully monitored by their colleagues and supervisors so any air or gas embolism can be immediately identified and treated. Signs and symptoms of an air embolism can include
Treating air embolisms
If a diver develops an air embolism, the only effective treatment is immediate recompression treatment in a special pressurised room called a hyperbaric chamber. The diver should be given 100% oxygen
Preventing an air embolism while diving
The following advice can help reduce your risk of developing an air or gas embolism when diving. Limit the depth and duration of your dives. Come up to the surface slowly and always perform safety
Other causes of air embolisms
Air embolisms alsooccur during surgery or other medical procedures, but this is rare. In hospitals and health centres, care should be taken to prevent this. For example: before injections, air shou
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