Decompression sickness

Definition

Decompression sickness, commonly known as 'the bends', is a condition that occurs when a diver ascends too quickly from deep water, leading to the formation of nitrogen bubbles in the bloodstream and tissues. This can result in a variety of symptoms, ranging from joint pain and fatigue to severe neurological issues. Understanding this condition is crucial for recognizing the physiological challenges faced by divers and how it relates to environmental adaptations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Decompression sickness typically occurs when divers ascend too quickly from depths greater than 10 meters (33 feet), where nitrogen is absorbed into body tissues under pressure.
2. Symptoms can include dizziness, joint pain, shortness of breath, and even paralysis or unconsciousness if the central nervous system is affected.
3. Treatment usually involves hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which helps eliminate nitrogen bubbles from the bloodstream and reduces tissue damage.
4. Preventive measures for divers include following safe ascent rates, conducting safety stops, and using dive computers to monitor depth and time.
5. Decompression sickness can also occur at altitudes when individuals who are not acclimatized ascend too quickly to higher elevations, highlighting its relevance beyond diving.

Review Questions

• What are the physiological processes that lead to decompression sickness during rapid ascent from deep water?
  • During rapid ascent from deep water, the pressure surrounding a diver decreases quickly, causing dissolved nitrogen in the body's tissues to come out of solution and form bubbles. This is because gases are more soluble at higher pressures; as the pressure drops too fast, nitrogen can precipitate out. These bubbles can obstruct blood vessels and trigger inflammatory responses, resulting in symptoms associated with decompression sickness.
• Discuss the role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in treating decompression sickness and its physiological effects on the body.
  • Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves placing patients in a pressurized chamber where they breathe pure oxygen. This treatment increases the amount of oxygen in the blood while helping to reduce the size of nitrogen bubbles formed during decompression sickness. The elevated pressure also promotes healing by enhancing oxygen delivery to damaged tissues, reducing inflammation, and preventing further complications related to gas embolism.
• Evaluate the potential impact of decompression sickness on diving practices and safety regulations within recreational and commercial diving operations.
  • Decompression sickness significantly influences diving practices and safety regulations by necessitating strict adherence to ascent protocols and guidelines. Diving organizations often implement training programs that emphasize safe diving practices, including planned ascent rates and mandatory safety stops. Additionally, monitoring technology such as dive computers has been developed to help divers avoid dangerous ascent profiles, ultimately aiming to minimize the incidence of decompression sickness and enhance overall diving safety.

Related terms

Nitrogen narcosis: A condition caused by the anesthetic effect of nitrogen at high pressures, which can impair judgment and coordination in divers.

Barotrauma: Injury caused by changes in pressure, particularly affecting air-filled spaces like the lungs and ears during ascent or descent in diving.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: A medical treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized room or chamber, often used to treat decompression sickness.