What does the term 'decompression stops' refer to in diving?

The term 'decompression stops' refers specifically to planned pauses during a diver's ascent from depth, designed to allow nitrogen that has been absorbed into the body under pressure to safely leave the tissues. When divers descend to significant depths, their bodies absorb more nitrogen due to the increased pressure. If they ascend too quickly without these stops, nitrogen can form bubbles in the bloodstream and tissues, potentially leading to decompression sickness, commonly known as "the bends."

During a dive, as a diver ascends, they must carefully manage the rate of ascent and incorporate scheduled stops at certain depths. These stops give the body time to off-gas the absorbed nitrogen more safely, thus decreasing the risk of complications associated with rapid pressure changes. The presence and timing of these stops are critical components of dive planning and adherence to decompression tables or dive computers, which provide the necessary guidance for safe ascents based on the dive profile.