Low forced expiratory flow rates and forceful exhalation as a cause for arterial gas embolism during submarine escape training: a case report.

What Researchers Did

Researchers reported a case of arterial gas embolism in a 26-year-old U.S. Navy submariner during pressurized submarine escape training.

What They Found

The submariner developed neurological abnormalities, including lightheadedness and lower extremity weakness, after forcefully exhaling at the start of his ascent. He fully recovered after receiving a U.S. Navy Treatment Table 6, and researchers proposed his arterial gas embolism was caused by pulmonary barotrauma due to low forced expiratory flow rates and overly forceful exhalation.

Canadian Relevance

This case report has no direct Canadian relevance as it describes an incident involving a U.S. Navy submariner during U.S. Navy training.

Study Limitations

As a single case report, the findings cannot be generalized to a broader population or different training scenarios.