Table of contents

1 Avoidance 2 Air embolism in diving 3 Treatment

Avoidance

One can reduce the risk of air embolism by avoiding unnecessary use of syringes and taking all steps to protect the physical body, noting that it is important that one never inject an air filled syringe directly into the bloodstream.

Air embolism in diving

Air embolism is one of the Diving disorders SCUBA divers sometimes suffer when they receive pressure damage to their lungs following a rapid ascent. The bubbles can impede the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain and vital organs. They can also cause clots to form in blood vessels.

Air embolism and decompression sickness have very similar symptoms because they are both the result of gas bubbles in the body. In a diving context, the two are often called decompression illness or DCI.

Treatment

There is only one final treatment for air embolism: decompression in a hyperbaric chamber.

A useful first aid treatment is to breath high concentrations of oxygen: either pure oxygen or a rich nitrox.