How can divers minimize the risk of decompression sickness?

Minimizing the risk of decompression sickness, often referred to as "the bends," is crucial for the safety of divers. One of the most effective strategies is adhering to safe diving practices, which specifically include gradual ascent and proper dive profiles.

When divers ascend too quickly, nitrogen that has been absorbed into the body during the dive can come out of solution too rapidly, forming bubbles in the tissues and bloodstream, leading to decompression sickness. Gradual ascent allows the nitrogen to be released from the body in a controlled manner, decreasing the likelihood of bubble formation. Moreover, following established dive tables or computer algorithms helps ensure that divers remain within safe limits regarding depths and times, further reducing the risk.

Therefore, the emphasis on gradual ascent and well-planned dive profiles directly addresses the physiological mechanisms that lead to decompression sickness and reinforces the importance of training and education in promoting safe diving habits.