Air embolism
Introduction
An air or gas embolism is a bubble that becomes trapped in a blood vessel and blocks it. This can lead to many different symptoms depending on where the blockage occurs. It's one of the leading causes of death among divers.
An air or gas embolism can happen when a scuba diver surfaces too quickly from any depth. This can cause air to escape into the blood vessels from the lungs (pulmonary barotrauma) or bubbles of nitrogen to form in the blood vessels (decompression illness, or "the bends").
An embolism can develop in an artery or vein. When an air bubble travels along an artery, it moves through a system of blood vessels that gradually become narrower. At some point, the bubble may block a small artery and cut off the blood supply to a particular area of the body.
Bubbles in the veins travel around the body and can cause breathing difficulties when they reach the lungs.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 17 Jan 2017
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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