Which situation can lead to serious lung damage while diving?

Holding your breath while diving is particularly dangerous because of the physiological changes that occur when a diver rises to the surface. As a diver ascends, the pressure around them decreases. This decrease in pressure causes any air trapped in the lungs to expand. If a diver holds their breath during this ascent, the expanding air can cause the lung tissues to overinflate, potentially leading to lung barotrauma. This condition can result in serious injury, such as ruptured alveoli or air embolisms, where air bubbles enter the bloodstream and travel to vital organs.

In contrast, diving with proper hydration, ascending slowly, and diving at a shallow depth do not pose the same level of risk for lung damage. Proper hydration helps maintain body function during a dive, a slow ascent allows for safe share of excess nitrogen in the body, and shallow depths generally involve less pressure changes. Each of these practices contributes to safer diving experiences.