## What Happens if You Don’t Decompress While Scuba Diving?
Decompression is a crucial part of scuba diving. It’s the process of allowing the nitrogen that has dissolved into your body tissues to slowly come out of solution as you ascend. If you don’t decompress properly, you can get decompression sickness (DCS).
DCS is a serious condition that can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
Pain in your joints, muscles, or bones
Skin rashes or itching
Nausea and vomiting
Fatigue
Dizziness
Confusion
Seizures
Paralysis
Death
DCS is caused by nitrogen bubbles forming in your tissues. These bubbles can block blood flow and damage your cells. The severity of your symptoms will depend on the number of bubbles that form and where they are located.
There are several factors that can increase your risk of DCS, including:
Diving too deep
Diving for too long
Ascending too quickly
Making multiple dives in a short period of time
Being overweight or obese
Being dehydrated
Having a high body fat percentage
Having a history of DCS
If you think you may have DCS, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. Treatment for DCS typically involves recompression therapy, which is a process of breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber.
## How to Decompress Properly
The best way to avoid DCS is to decompress properly. Here are some tips for decompression:
Ascend slowly. The slower you ascend, the more time your body has to get rid of nitrogen.
Make safety stops. A safety stop is a brief pause during your ascent to allow your body to decompress.
Use a dive computer. A dive computer can help you track your depth and ascent rate.
Stay hydrated. Dehydration can increase your risk of DCS.
Get enough sleep. Getting enough sleep can help your body recover from diving.
## What to Do if You Have DCS
If you think you may have DCS, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. Treatment for DCS typically involves recompression therapy, which is a process of breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber.
Recompression therapy can help to reduce the size of the nitrogen bubbles in your tissues and improve your symptoms. The sooner you seek treatment, the better your chances of a full recovery.
## Conclusion
Decompression is a crucial part of scuba diving. If you don’t decompress properly, you can get DCS, which is a serious condition that can cause a variety of symptoms. By following the tips in this article, you can help to reduce your risk of DCS and enjoy a safe and enjoyable diving experience.