What type of injury results from lung overexpansion during a dive?

Lung overexpansion during a dive can lead to a pneumothorax, which occurs when air leaks into the space between the lung and the chest wall, resulting in a collapsed lung. This injury often arises from rapid ascents where the expansion of air in the lungs exceeds their capacity to accommodate it, potentially causing lung tissue to rupture.

Understanding that this condition is specifically related to the mechanics of lung expansion and the effects of pressure changes underwater can help divers appreciate the importance of equalizing pressure during ascents and adhering to dive tables or profiles. This proactive avoidance of rapid ascents is crucial for preventing lung overexpansion injuries, emphasizing the significance of proper dive planning and ascent rates to maintain safety while diving.

While other injuries such as barotrauma generally refer to pressure-related injuries affecting various body cavities, a pneumothorax specifically denotes the result of air expansion and rupture within the lungs. Hypoxia refers to insufficient oxygen in the body, which is not directly related to lung overexpansion, and heat exhaustion pertains to overheating, often associated with surface activities rather than diving itself.