What is the most serious type of pressure-related injury in diving?

The most serious type of pressure-related injury in diving is an air embolism, which occurs when gas bubbles enter the bloodstream. This can happen if a diver ascends too quickly, allowing the dissolved gases in the body to form bubbles, particularly nitrogen. These bubbles can obstruct blood flow, leading to a range of serious complications, including strokes, organ damage, or even death.

An air embolism can affect various organs and tissues, depending on where the gas bubbles travel within the circulatory system. The potential consequences can be catastrophic, making it essential for divers to adhere to safe ascent rates and to perform safety stops.

Other conditions, while also serious, do not have the same level of immediate risk to life or long-term complications associated with them. For example, pneumothorax involves air escaping into the pleural cavity of the lungs but is typically more manageable if treated quickly. Mediastinal emphysema involves air trapped in the central chest area, which can cause discomfort but does not usually present the same acute life-threatening risks as an air embolism. An air bubble in itself, while concerning, is often less significant compared to the systemic impact of an air embolism.