What is the potential risk of not adhering to the no-decompression limits?

Not adhering to the no-decompression limits significantly increases the risk of decompression sickness. This condition occurs when a diver ascends too quickly or spends too much time at depths that exceed the no-decompression limits, causing nitrogen bubbles to form in the body as the pressure decreases during ascent. These bubbles can lead to a range of symptoms, from joint pain to more severe consequences, depending on where they form in the body.

The no-decompression limits are designed to prevent these risks by providing guidelines on how long a diver can safely stay at a certain depth before needing mandatory decompression stops on ascent. By following these limits, divers significantly reduce their chance of developing decompression sickness, allowing for a safer diving experience.