Well, I followed Nigel's suggestion and Googled the topic.  I suspect it
would take several more years of college before I could figure out half of
what I read.  As near as I can tell, the problem is most common in animals,
including cows.  Perhaps the correct answer is, if the victim dies, you get
a nice steak for dinner.

On a more serious note, there were indications that the injury, at least
related to diving, usually results from damage to the alvioli due to
overpressurization.  I suppose administering O2 might exacerbate the
problem, but it would seem to the ignorant (me) that the benefits would
outweigh the risks.  I did find suggestions that positioning the victim in
such a way that the undamaged lung or portions of lungs became primary was
useful.  Unfortunately, how you do that was unclear.

So, I've neither proved, nor disproved Nigel's suggestion . . . unless the
nice steak thing really is the answer.

Lee

Isn't that the condition where the breathing reflex is
broken and the body is actually responding to low oxygen
not CO2 build up to breath so if you give the oxygen
they promptly suffocate on CO2?

Also I seem to remember they wouldn't ever be diving in
that condition. Walking is unlikely.

Somebody will probably google it by now and show me I'm
wrong again.

nigelH

Fiddling around with some BSAC exam questions last night, one question
suggested that a casualty diagnosed as acute interstitial emphysema
should NOT be given O2.

I had previously thought first aid treatment for all burst lung
injuries was O2 followed by chamber. Suspect the "acute" make a
difference, but don't know why.

Can anyone enlighten me?

David