Understanding and Preventing the Bends When Diving

What is the Bends in Diving?

The Bends, also known as decompression sickness, is a condition that occurs when dissolved gases, primarily nitrogen, come out of solution in the body’s tissues and form bubbles as the diver ascends. These bubbles can cause severe pain, neurological issues, and other complications.

What is the Bends Caused by Scuba Diving?

Decompression sickness is caused by badly controlled ascents. When a diver descends, the pressure increases, causing nitrogen from the gas they breathe to more easily dissolve into their tissues. If a diver surfaces too quickly, the rapid pressure decrease causes the nitrogen to form bubbles in the tissues and bloodstream. These bubbles cause the symptoms of decompression sickness.

How Do You Get the Bends Diving?

The bends occurs when divers:

• Surface too quickly after a dive.
• Exceed safe dive times or depths outlined in dive tables.
• Fail to follow proper decompression stops during deep or prolonged dives.
• Dive multiple times in a day without adequate surface intervals.

Non diving issues include:

• Dehydration.
• Poor physical fitness.

How long should I wait between diving and flying?

After diving, it is essential to wait enough time before flying to reduce the risk of decompression sickness. The general guidelines are:

Wait at least 12 hours after a single no-decompression dive.

Wait 18-24 hours after multiple dives or dives requiring decompression stops. Flying soon after diving exposes you to lower air pressure, increasing the risk of nitrogen bubbles forming in your bloodstream, much like a quick ascend would.

What Is Decompression Sickness?

Decompression sickness is a medical condition resulting from the formation of nitrogen bubbles in the body. Symptoms include:

• Joint and muscle pain.
• Dizziness, nausea, and fatigue.
• Skin rashes or itching.
• Neurological symptoms like confusion or paralysis in severe cases.

Why Is Decompression Sickness Called the Bends?

The nickname "the bends" stems from the posture divers often assume when suffering from the condition. Severe joint pain, particularly in the knees and elbows, can cause divers to hunch or bend over in discomfort.

Long-Term Effects of Decompression Sickness

While many divers recover fully with prompt treatment, severe or untreated cases of decompression sickness can lead to lasting effects, including:

• Chronic joint pain or arthritis.
• Neurological damage, such as memory loss or motor function impairment.
• Pulmonary complications.
• Death

How to Treat Decompression Sickness

Treatment for decompression sickness typically involves:

• Administering oxygen: Pure oxygen helps reduce nitrogen levels in the body.
• Recompression therapy: This involves placing the affected diver in a hyperbaric chamber to simulate pressure at depth and gradually reduce it, allowing nitrogen bubbles to dissolve safely.
• Hydration and rest: Support recovery and reduce symptoms. Immediate medical attention is essential for anyone suspected of having decompression sickness.

Types of Decompression Sickness

Decompression sickness is classified into two main types:

• Type 1: Involves mild symptoms such as joint pain and skin rashes.
• Type 2: Affects the nervous system, lungs, or cardiovascular system and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

Preventing Decompression Sickness

To prevent the bends, divers should:

• Ascend slowly, adhering to the recommended ascent rate of 30 feet per minute.
• Perform safety stops at 3-6 meters or 15-20 feet for 3-5 minutes during the ascent.
• Use dive computers or tables to plan dives within no-decompression limits.
• Stay hydrated and maintain good physical fitness.
• Allow adequate surface intervals between dives and wait for the recommended time before flying.

By understanding the causes, symptoms, and prevention strategies, divers can minimize the risk of decompression sickness and enjoy safer underwater experiences. If you want to learn more about the physiology and medicine of diving, we recommend you visit the Divers Alert Network.