
Originally Posted by
twosocks40
If an air bubble enters the blood stream it is treated as an infection by your body. This causes a build up of blood cells to combat the infection, only there is no infection so the blood cells keep coming. Often times, even after the air bubble has dissapated the clot of blood cells is still there. This is what happens when divers get decompression sickness or, the "bends". In diving, when treated quickly the air bubble shrinks and absorbs into the body. If not treated quickly enough it can lead to permanent damage. I.E. paralysis, brain damage, numbness in extremeties.
Bottom line: Aspirate and DO NOT inject air into a vein(not that anyone would do that on purpose). Even at a low amount it is a bad idea.
-B