## What is “Getting the Bends” from Scuba Diving?
Getting the bends, also known as decompression sickness (DCS), is a serious medical condition that can occur when scuba divers ascend too quickly from a dive. When a diver descends, the increased pressure of the water forces nitrogen into the body’s tissues. As the diver ascends, the pressure decreases and the nitrogen bubbles come out of solution and form in the blood and tissues. If the diver ascends too quickly, the bubbles can block blood flow and cause damage to the tissues.
Symptoms of DCS
The symptoms of DCS can vary depending on the severity of the condition. Mild cases of DCS may only cause pain in the joints, muscles, or skin. More severe cases can cause neurological symptoms such as weakness, numbness, or paralysis. In extreme cases, DCS can be fatal.
Risk Factors for DCS
The risk of DCS is increased by a number of factors, including:
Diving to depths of 60 feet or more
Diving for long periods of time
Ascending too quickly
Repeated dives in a short period of time
Being overweight or obese
Being dehydrated
Smoking
Alcohol consumption
Treatment for DCS
The treatment for DCS is to recompress the diver in a hyperbaric chamber. This increases the pressure around the diver, which forces the nitrogen bubbles back into solution. The diver is then slowly decompressed over a period of hours or days.
Prevention of DCS
The best way to prevent DCS is to follow the recommended dive profiles and safety procedures. These include:
Diving to depths of no more than 60 feet
Diving for no more than 60 minutes at a time
Ascending slowly at a rate of no more than 30 feet per minute
Waiting at least 24 hours between dives
Staying hydrated
Avoiding smoking and alcohol before and after diving
If you experience any symptoms of DCS, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
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