Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid (SFA) Practice Exam 2026 – Your All-in-One Guide to Mastering SFA!

Bubble injuries from rapid ascent or decompression can affect the whole body as gas bubbles form in tissues and blood. The most alarming sign is when the person’s level of consciousness changes, because that points to the brain or central nervous system being affected. A change in consciousness indicates a serious, potentially life-threatening involvement (such as cerebral or arterial gas embolism) and requires urgent medical evaluation and transport.

Other symptoms from bubble injuries can appear in different body systems—joint and muscle pain, dizziness or vertigo, shortness of breath, chest pain, skin itching or mottling, or numbness. Hearing issues can occur if the inner or middle ear is involved, but these signs alone are not as critical as a sudden change in mental status. That’s why changing LOC is the best indicator among the options.

If you suspect a bubble injury, treat it as an emergency: call for help, have the person breathe high-flow oxygen if available, keep them warm and as still as possible, monitor their breathing and consciousness, and transport to a medical facility promptly.