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Lung barotrauma symptoms3/2/2024 In Breath-Hold diving, our lungs represent the closed gas containing space, with the increased ambient pressure provided by the water’s hydrostatic pressure during descent. To better understand PBT we need to revisit some basic physics and physiology.įirst, Boyle’s law: “The volume of a given mass of gas is inversely proportional to its pressure, if the temperature remains constant.”īy this gas law, it is understood that the volume of gas in a closed system or space will decrease as the ambient pressure increases and vice versa. So, using this imperfect definition, let’s consider what these effects actually are how does increased environmental pressure affect the closed gas spaces of the lungs? Some authorities include tracheal squeeze as part of the broader concept of PBT. The description and definition refers to what happens to the lungs because of increased pressure during descent. PBT is thus: Damage or injury to the lungs as a result of the effects of increased environmental pressure on the closed gas spaces of the lungs during Breath-Hold Diving. ‘Lung squeeze” is also known as chest squeeze or more formally as pulmonary barotrauma of descent (referred to as PBT in the rest of the article). So, let’s “dive” into the topic and hopefully avoid getting a brain squeeze in the process! There are many urban legends about this rather poorly defined and largely misunderstood phenomenon. Scuba divers are not really aware of it and, sadly, most doctors have never heard of it, let alone learnt to treat it. ‘Lung squeeze’ is a condition that is practically unique to Breath-Hold Diving.
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