How does holding breath affect a diver in distress?

Holding breath while diving can have significant physiological consequences, particularly in the event of distress. When a diver holds their breath during ascent or while experiencing difficulty, the expanding air in their lungs can lead to barotrauma, which is a condition resulting from the expansion of air trapped in the lungs. This can cause lung overexpansion injuries, as the air pressure decreases and causes the lungs to expand beyond their normal limits.

Barotrauma may lead to serious complications, including pneumothorax (air leaking into the chest cavity) or arterial gas embolism (air bubbles entering the bloodstream), both of which can be life-threatening. As such, it’s crucial for divers to exhale during ascent and avoid breath-holding to minimize these risks.

Understanding this condition highlights the importance of proper diving techniques and safety protocols, especially in distress situations, where maintaining control of breathing is critically important for safety and survivability.