What is the most common barotrauma among scuba divers during descent?

What is the most common barotrauma among scuba divers during descent?

• A. Middle Ear Squeeze Barotrauma
• B. Pulmonary barotrauma
• C. Nitrogen narcosis
• D. Decompression sickness

Answer: (A)

During descent, ambient pressure increases and the middle ear must be ventilated to match it. If the Eustachian tube can’t equalize, the trapped air in the middle ear is compressed, pushing on the tympanic membrane and causing pain, potential hearing changes, and sometimes rupture. This “middle ear squeeze” is the most common barotrauma divers experience on descent because the ear is directly and rapidly exposed to pressure changes, and equalization is often challenging in a submerged, dynamic environment. By comparison, pulmonary barotrauma usually occurs with lung overexpansion during ascent or breath-holding, nitrogen narcosis is a CNS effect not a barotrauma, and decompression sickness results from gas bubbles forming during ascent, not during descent. If you can’t equalize, stop descending and ascend to a level where the ear can vent, then reattempt when comfortable. Seek medical evaluation if there is persistent ear pain, hearing loss, or suspected perforation.

During descent, ambient pressure increases and the middle ear must be ventilated to match it. If the Eustachian tube can’t equalize, the trapped air in the middle ear is compressed, pushing on the tympanic membrane and causing pain, potential hearing changes, and sometimes rupture. This “middle ear squeeze” is the most common barotrauma divers experience on descent because the ear is directly and rapidly exposed to pressure changes, and equalization is often challenging in a submerged, dynamic environment. By comparison, pulmonary barotrauma usually occurs with lung overexpansion during ascent or breath-holding, nitrogen narcosis is a CNS effect not a barotrauma, and decompression sickness results from gas bubbles forming during ascent, not during descent. If you can’t equalize, stop descending and ascend to a level where the ear can vent, then reattempt when comfortable. Seek medical evaluation if there is persistent ear pain, hearing loss, or suspected perforation.