What is the most serious lung over-expansion injury?

Arterial gas embolism is considered the most serious lung over-expansion injury due to the potential for severe complications that can arise from bubbles of gas entering the arterial system. This condition typically occurs when a diver ascends too quickly and expands the air in their lungs without properly exhaling. As the pressure reduces during the ascent, the volume of gas within the lungs expands. If this happens while a diver's lungs are still filled with air, the gas can rupture the alveoli (air sacs in the lungs) and enter the bloodstream, leading to an embolism.

The presence of gas bubbles in the arterial circuits can block blood flow, which can damage tissues or organs, potentially leading to strokes, paralysis, or even death. The severity of arterial gas embolism lies primarily in its ability to cause widespread systemic issues, impacting various organ systems rapidly and often requiring immediate medical intervention.

While mediastinal emphysema, pneumothorax, and subcutaneous emphysema are significant injuries associated with lung over-expansion, they tend to be localized and often less immediately life-threatening compared to arterial gas embolism. Mediastinal emphysema involves air leaking into the mediastinum. A pneumothorax is the presence of air in the