PADI Divemaster Certification Practice Exam

What is the recommended first aid for a lung overexpansion injury?

1. Encouraging the patient to walk

2. Providing oxygen and keeping the patient upright

3. Contacting emergency services and lying the patient down

4. Immediate decompression on the surface

The correct answer is: Contacting emergency services and lying the patient down

The recommended first aid for a lung overexpansion injury is to contact emergency services and have the patient lie down. This approach is critical for several reasons: Firstly, lying the patient down helps to alleviate stress on the lungs and reduces the chance of further complications. Maintaining a horizontal position can help to stabilize the affected person's breathing and minimizes the risk of additional injury to the lungs. Secondly, contacting emergency services is essential to ensure that the patient receives professional medical attention as soon as possible. Lung overexpansion injuries can lead to serious conditions, including arterial gas embolism, which requires immediate and specialized medical care that is beyond the scope of basic first aid. While other options might seem reasonable at first glance, they do not align with the established protocols for handling lung overexpansion injuries. For instance, encouraging the patient to walk could exacerbate their condition by increasing their heart rate and respiratory effort, which is counterproductive. Providing oxygen in an upright position could also inadvertently worsen the injury if not done under professional supervision. Immediate decompression at the surface is not a standard practice for this type of injury and could present additional risks. Overall, ensuring the patient's safety by keeping them lying down and contacting emergency services are crucial actions that facilitate the best outcome for someone