The Bends
The Bends, also known as decompression sickness, occurs when a diver ascends too quickly after spending time at depths. During deep dives, nitrogen from the air dissolves into the body’s tissues under high pressure. If a diver rises too fast, the nitrogen forms bubbles, leading to various symptoms.
Symptoms of The Bends can include joint pain, dizziness, fatigue, and in severe cases, paralysis or death. Treatment typically involves administering pure oxygen in a hyperbaric chamber, which helps reduce the size of the nitrogen bubbles and allows for safe nitrogen elimination from the body.