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Lung Squeeze (Thoracic Squeeze)

Description

Under certain circumstances a diver may have the air in the lungs compressed to a volume that is less than the lung's residual volume. The compressive forces on the lung may be sufficient to interfere with respiration, while negative pressure within the chest can flood the lungs with fluids.


 

Divers at risk:

(1) a diver making a breath-holding dive to a significant depth

(2) a surface-supplied diver at a significant depth who experiences a loss of gas pressure or hose rupture with failure of the non-return valve

 

Clinical findings:

(1) dyspnea with difficulty breathing

(2) pulmonary edema and/or intra-alveolar hemorrhage

(3) elevation of the diaphragm

(4) chest collapse

 


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Specialty

ICD-10