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Air embolism (or gas embolism) is a condition in which the blood vessel blockage by bubbles in the blood, generally from expansion of air held in the lung as pressure decreases at the time an ascent from a dive occurs. In this medical condition, the expanded air held in the lung is over inflating the blood in the form of a bubble. If the bubble blocks the blood vessel in the brain, it may damage similar to a severe stroke. Air embolism is an urging emergency and a main cause in divers. The most common causes of this disease are breath-holding at the time an ascent from scuba dive, usually caused by running out at depth. If a diver is in panic, he can forget to freely exhale as the lung air expands at the time of the ascent. Air embolism may happen in swimming pools if an individual has external source of air, taking a breath under water and does not exhale while coming up. Most common symptoms of air embolism are sudden loss of consciousness without or with convulsions. In some cases, less serious symptoms may develop including confusion, agitation, or partial paralysis. Lung overinflation also may force air out of the lung into the tissues, which surround the heart (called mediastinal emphysema) and under the skin (subcutaneous emphysema). In some cases the overinflated lung bursts, releasing air into the space between the chest wall and the lungs (called pneumothorax). After, the lungs collapse, causing chest pain and shortness of breath. Progression of blood froth at the mouth and coughing up blood are signs of lung damage. Divers, who lose consciousness at the time of an ascent or afterwards, possibly have air embolisms and must be treated immediately. An individual with an air embolism, should be returned at once to a high pressure environment, so that the air bubbles will be compressed and forced to dissolve in the bloodstream. Many medical centers have high blood pressure (hyperbatic or recompression) chambers for such purposes. An individual must be transferred to the chamber as soon as possible, while getting oxygen through a close-fitting face mask. Flying, even at low attitudes decreases pressure of the atmosphere, and lets bubbles expand, but may be justified if it is able to save a significant period of time in getting a patient to a suitable chamber.
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