Recurrent pulmonary barotrauma in scuba diving and the risks of future hyperbaric exposures: a case report

A 27-yr-old male scuba diving student suffered two episodes of pulmonary barotrauma 6 mo. apart after 12-ft training scuba dives. In the interval between these episodes, four uneventful hyperbaric chamber dives occurred. No definite cause or risk factors were identified. A MEDLINE review of diving literature revealed few studies of recurrent pulmonary barotrauma and no studies addressed risks of recurrent pulmonary barotrauma in the hyperbaric oxygen therapy environment following scuba pulmonary barotrauma.