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StatPearls, LLC

  • Chest Pain
  • Echocardiography
  • Embolism, Air
  • Ischemia
  • Syncope

Diving Gas Embolism

Diving gas embolism results from intravascular introduction of gas bubbles, most commonly due to rapid ascent while holding breath, leading to pulmonary overinflation and vascular gas entry. Etiologic factors include inadequate decompression, breath-holding, equipment malfunction, and exposure to high-pressure gas mixtures. Risk increases with deep or prolonged dives, rapid ascents, preexisting pulmonary disease, and age-related pulmonary changes. The pathophysiology involves mechanical obstruction of blood vessels, ischemia, and endothelial injury, with secondary inflammatory responses. The clinical presentation varies from acute neurological deficits, chest pain, dyspnea, and syncope to cardiovascular collapse. Diagnosis relies on history of recent dive, clinical findings, and imaging such as computed tomography or echocardiography demonstrating intravascular gas. Management centers on immediate administration of 100% oxygen, stabilization of the airway and circulation, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy to reduce bubble size and tissue ischemia. Complications include persistent neurological deficits, pulmonary injury, and cardiac dysfunction. Prognosis depends on rapid recognition, timely hyperbaric therapy, and the severity of embolic events, with early intervention improving functional outcomes. This activity for healthcare professionals is designed to strengthen learners’ competence in evaluating and managing diving gas embolism. Participants will advance their mastery of the condition’s etiology, risk factors, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Improved skills will equip clinicians to collaborate with interprofessional teams providing care for at-risk individuals.

Credit & MOC Details

Credit information is provided by the course provider. We recommend confirming credit eligibility with the provider or your licensing board before starting the activity.

Credit types

IPCE CreditsUp to 1.5 creditsAAPA Category 1 Credit™Up to 1.5 creditsAMA PRA Category 1 Credit™Up to 1.5 creditsNursingUp to 1.5 creditsPharmacyUp to 1.5 credits

MOC types

ABS — Accredited CMEUp to 1.5 pointsABPM — Accredited CMEUp to 1.5 pointsABPATH — Lifelong LearningUp to 1.5 pointsABA — Lifelong LearningUp to 1.5 pointsABTS — Accredited CMEUp to 1.5 pointsABIM — Medical KnowledgeUp to 1.5 pointsABS — Self-AssessmentUp to 1.5 pointsABP — Lifelong Learning and Self-AssessmentUp to 1.5 pointsABPM — Self-AssessmentUp to 1.5 pointsABTS — Self-AssessmentUp to 1.5 points

FDA REMS

No

Qualifies for MIPS

No

Target Specialties

Cross-Specialty

Relevant across 10 specialties.

Pricing

Fee varies

This provider typically $49–98

See fees on statpearls.com

Listed by the provider

  • Article / monograph / reference
  • Credit · Up to 1.5 credits
  • MOC · Up to 1.5 points
  • Fee varies · this provider typically $49–98
  • Released
    Sep 1, 2026
  • Last day to claim credit
    Sep 1, 2029 3 years left

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