Air embolism
Preventing an air embolism while diving
The following advice can help reduce your risk of developing an air or gas embolism when diving.
- Limit the depth and duration of your dives.
- Come up to the surface slowly and always perform safety stops to allow any air in your tissues and blood vessels to escape safely. Use a dive computer or dive tables, and don't dive again if you have broken these rules until you have had a suitable time at the surface.
- Don't dive with a cold, cough or chest infection.
- Avoid rigorous exercise before, during and after a dive.
- Make sure you're well hydrated before diving.
- If planning several dives, leave adequate surface intervals between dives to allow the nitrogen to leave your body.
- After diving, wait for 24 hours before flying or going to a higher altitude.
If in doubt, contact a dive professional or doctor, who can provide further advice.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
An air or gas embolism is a serious problem that can affect scuba divers. Read about the causes, symptoms and treatments.
How serious is it?
The seriousness of the blockage depends on which part of the body the affected blood vessel supplies blood to and the size of the air bubble. For example, an air embolism in: the arteries to the bra
Warning signs
Divers should always be carefully monitored by their colleagues and supervisors so any air or gas embolism can be immediately identified and treated. Signs and symptoms of an air embolism can include
Treating air embolisms
If a diver develops an air embolism, the only effective treatment is immediate recompression treatment in a special pressurised room called a hyperbaric chamber. The diver should be given 100% oxygen
Preventing an air embolism while diving
The following advice can help reduce your risk of developing an air or gas embolism when diving. Limit the depth and duration of your dives. Come up to the surface slowly and always perform safety
Other causes of air embolisms
Air embolisms alsooccur during surgery or other medical procedures, but this is rare. In hospitals and health centres, care should be taken to prevent this. For example: before injections, air shou
How serious is it?
The seriousness of the blockage depends on which part of the body the affected blood vessel supplies blood to and the size of the air bubble. For example, an air embolism in: the arteries to the bra
Warning signs
Divers should always be carefully monitored by their colleagues and supervisors so any air or gas embolism can be immediately identified and treated. Signs and symptoms of an air embolism can include
Treating air embolisms
If a diver develops an air embolism, the only effective treatment is immediate recompression treatment in a special pressurised room called a hyperbaric chamber. The diver should be given 100% oxygen
Preventing an air embolism while diving
The following advice can help reduce your risk of developing an air or gas embolism when diving. Limit the depth and duration of your dives. Come up to the surface slowly and always perform safety
Other causes of air embolisms
Air embolisms alsooccur during surgery or other medical procedures, but this is rare. In hospitals and health centres, care should be taken to prevent this. For example: before injections, air shou
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