What is "the bends"?

"The bends," also known as decompression sickness, is a condition that occurs when a diver ascends too quickly after spending time at depths where the pressure is significantly higher than at the surface. While submerged, divers breathe air that contains nitrogen. Under increased pressure, their bodies absorb more nitrogen than they would at normal atmospheric pressure. If a diver ascends rapidly, the decrease in pressure causes the nitrogen that has been absorbed to come out of solution and form bubbles in the body's tissues and bloodstream. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, which may include joint pain, dizziness, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, can be life-threatening.

Understanding "the bends" is crucial for divers to recognize the importance of ascending slowly and performing safety stops during ascent, allowing the nitrogen to be safely released from their bodies without causing bubbles to form.