Pulmonary barotrauma with cerebral arterial gas embolism from a depth of 0.75−1.2 metres of fresh water or less: A case report

Abstract

During underwater vehicle escape training with compressed air, a fit 26-year-old soldier suffered pulmonary barotrauma with cerebral arterial gas embolism after surfacing from a depth of 0.75–1.2 metres of freshwater or less. She presented with an altered level of consciousness. Rapid neurological examination noted slurred speech, a sensory deficit and right hemiparesis. Eleven hours after the accident, hyperbaric oxygen treatment was initiated using US Navy Treatment Table 6. The soldier almost completely recovered after repeated hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Given the very shallow depth this is an unusual case with only two similar case reports published previously.