Compression Sickness

Decompression sickness, also known as "the bends," occurs when a person ascends too quickly from deep water. Under pressure, nitrogen gas dissolves into the body's tissues. Rapid ascent lowers pressure, causing nitrogen to form bubbles in the bloodstream and tissues. These bubbles can block blood flow and cause symptoms like joint pain, dizziness, or even more serious issues such as paralysis. To prevent this, divers ascend gradually and perform safety stops to allow nitrogen to safely exit the body. Proper training and adherence to ascent guidelines are essential to avoid decompression sickness.