Define the term "barotrauma" in the context of diving.

Barotrauma refers specifically to injuries that occur as a direct result of pressure changes acting upon body tissues during diving activities. When a diver ascends or descends, the pressure surrounding them changes significantly, which can impact air-filled spaces in the body, such as the lungs, sinuses, and middle ears. If equalization does not occur or if a diver ascends too quickly, these pressure differences can cause tissue damage, leading to barotrauma.

The other options do not accurately describe barotrauma. For instance, damage from low water temperatures pertains to cold exposure rather than pressure alterations. Accidents due to loss of buoyancy refer to issues with maintaining positive buoyancy while diving, which is different from the physiological effects of pressure changes. Physical strain due to heavy equipment focuses on the mechanical aspects of diving rather than the biological impacts of pressure on tissues.