What type of injury is associated with lung overexpansion?

Lung overexpansion injuries are primarily associated with barotrauma, which occurs when the gases within the lungs expand as a diver ascends rapidly. When a diver ascends, the external pressure decreases, causing the trapped air in the lungs to expand. If the diver does not exhale adequately, this rapid expansion can lead to the alveoli rupturing, resulting in barotrauma. This injury can be quite serious and may cause air to escape the lungs into the surrounding body cavities, leading to conditions such as pneumothorax or arterial gas embolism, which can be life-threatening.

Understanding this mechanism emphasizes the importance of proper ascent rates and the need for divers to exhale continuously during an ascent to avoid this type of injury. Barotrauma is a critical concern in diving safety, making knowledge about it vital for every diver.