PADI Divemaster Certification Practice Exam

A diver who ascends while holding their breath and later shows signs of confusion and respiratory arrest is likely suffering from?

1. Decompression sickness

2. Arterial gas embolism

3. Middle ear squeeze

4. Sinus squeeze

The correct answer is: Arterial gas embolism

The symptoms described, such as confusion and respiratory arrest after an ascent while holding one's breath, are indicative of arterial gas embolism. This condition occurs when a diver ascends too quickly with air trapped in the lungs, which can lead to the formation of gas bubbles that enter the bloodstream. These bubbles can then travel to various parts of the body, including the brain, where they can disrupt normal physiological functions and lead to confusion, neurological symptoms, and respiratory issues. When a diver holds their breath during an ascent, the volume of air in the lungs increases due to the decrease in surrounding pressure, which can rupture lung tissues and release air directly into the circulatory system. This critical situation emphasizes the importance of exhaling continuously during ascent to prevent such life-threatening complications. The other options are associated with different issues: decompression sickness is related to nitrogen bubbles forming in tissues due to rapid ascent; middle ear squeeze and sinus squeeze relate more to barometric pressure changes affecting those specific cavities rather than the symptoms presented in this scenario.