The Iron Lung meme originates from the 2022 indie horror game developed by David Szymanski, where players navigate a tiny, windowless submarine through a literal ocean of blood on a desolate moon. The meme typically utilizes the game's distinctive low-poly aesthetic and suffocating atmosphere to represent feelings of isolation, impending doom, or 'taking one for the team' in a hazardous environment. Since its release, the game has seen a surge in popularity due to its unique premise and its association with real-world submarine events, leading to a wave of dark humor and existential dread-themed image macros. Whether it's about navigating a difficult social situation or exploring a cursed comment section, the Iron Lung template perfectly captures the feeling of being trapped in a small space while surrounded by absolute horror.