During a diver's descent, which injury is most likely due to the increased ambient pressure?

During a diver's descent, which injury is most likely due to the increased ambient pressure?

• A. Eardrum rupture due to increased pressure
• B. Decompression sickness
• C. Nitrogen narcosis
• D. Oxygen toxicity

Answer: (A)

As a diver descends, ambient pressure increases with depth, and the air-filled spaces in the body must equalize to avoid injury. The middle ear is the key space that needs this pressure balance; if the diver cannot or does not effectively vent air through the Eustachian tube, the growing external pressure pushes on the tympanic membrane, causing pain and potentially tearing the eardrum. This ear barotrauma is the most immediate risk tied directly to the increasing ambient pressure during descent. Decompression sickness, nitrogen narcosis, and oxygen toxicity involve different mechanisms or timing. Decompression sickness results from dissolved gases coming out of solution during ascent, not descent. Nitrogen narcosis is a narcotic effect from high nitrogen partial pressure at depth, affecting mental status rather than causing a physical rupture. Oxygen toxicity comes from high partial pressure of oxygen, typically at deeper depths or with specific gas mixes, and is not the typical injury from the act of descending.

As a diver descends, ambient pressure increases with depth, and the air-filled spaces in the body must equalize to avoid injury. The middle ear is the key space that needs this pressure balance; if the diver cannot or does not effectively vent air through the Eustachian tube, the growing external pressure pushes on the tympanic membrane, causing pain and potentially tearing the eardrum. This ear barotrauma is the most immediate risk tied directly to the increasing ambient pressure during descent.

Decompression sickness, nitrogen narcosis, and oxygen toxicity involve different mechanisms or timing. Decompression sickness results from dissolved gases coming out of solution during ascent, not descent. Nitrogen narcosis is a narcotic effect from high nitrogen partial pressure at depth, affecting mental status rather than causing a physical rupture. Oxygen toxicity comes from high partial pressure of oxygen, typically at deeper depths or with specific gas mixes, and is not the typical injury from the act of descending.