What should a diver do to reduce the risk of lung overexpansion?

To reduce the risk of lung overexpansion, a diver should exhale continuously while ascending. As a diver ascends, the pressure around them decreases, which can cause the air in their lungs to expand. If the diver holds their breath during this ascent, the expanding air can lead to overexpansion injury, potentially resulting in serious complications such as a lung rupture.

By exhaling continuously, the diver allows the air in their lungs to escape in a controlled manner, thus preventing overexpansion. This technique helps to ensure that any increase in lung volume due to the reduced external pressure is safely managed.

Other methods such as ascending quickly or taking deep breaths before ascents would increase the risk of overexpansion rather than reducing it, while using a high-pressure tank does not have a direct correlation with lung injury prevention during ascent. Understanding the importance of proper exhalation during ascent is essential for safe diving practices.