diving question?

Question

Is it true that when you don't exhale when resurfacing from a very deep water your lungs will blow up?

Answer 1

YES - kind of. What happens is that the oxygen in the blood at deeper levels is condensed so when you rise to the surface it expands - think of a kids air balloon - filled with air, pull it under the surface of the water and it begins to shrink - bring it back to the surface and the balloon regains its size/shape. If you fill an air ballon to capacity under water and then lift it to the surface, the air will expand and cause the balloon to burst. This is kind of what happens with the oxygen in your blood stream and it is basically called the Benz.