In addition to breath holding, what may contribute to lung overexpansion injury in divers?

Lung overexpansion injury in divers primarily occurs due to the rapid expansion of air within the lungs as a diver ascends. When a diver is at depth, the pressure of the surrounding water compresses the air in their lungs. If a diver rapidly ascends and holds their breath, the volume of air expands without being able to escape, leading to potential lung overexpansion injuries.

An obstruction in the airways can exacerbate this issue. When airflow is restricted, such as through a blockage in the airways, the diver may not be able to exhale as they ascend, intensifying the risk of lung overexpansion injury. This obstruction could be caused by a variety of factors including the presence of mucus, foreign objects, or even improper use of equipment that leads to constriction of the airways. Therefore, the correlation between airway obstruction and the risk of lung overexpansion injury highlights the importance of clear and unobstructed pathways for air to escape during ascents.

Other options like dehydration, high altitude, and rapid ascents also relate to diving safety, but they do not directly connect to lung overexpansion in the same way that airway obstruction does during an ascent. Rapid ascents are indeed a significant factor,