Scuba diving is a recreational pastime in which divers submerge to a depth of 130 feet or less using a mouthpiece and a tank of compressed air, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Divers are vulnerable to developing decompression sickness, also known as the bends, when ascending and resurfacing after a dive. The nitrogen normally contained in the blood and tissues forms bubbles in the blood that can damage the brain, lungs and spinal cord. Decompression sickness can be avoided by ascending slowly after the dive, planning dives carefully and avoiding flying 12 to 24 hours after a dive.
Pain
Type I decompression sickness typically causes pain in the back, muscles and joints of the arms or legs, according to the Merck Manual. The nature of the pain varies. Some patients describe it as sharp and others describe it as deep in the bones. In the beginning, the pain might be mild and intermittent but grows worse as time goes on. Associated symptoms include itching, rash, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue and mottled skin. Type I decompression symptoms can be managed without hyperbaric treatment.
Nervous System Involvement
Type II decompression sickness causes problems with the brain and spinal cord, beginning with mild numbness, tingling or weakness in the extremities, according to the Merck Manual. Within hours, the patient might become paralyzed and die. When the brain is affected, the patient might complain of a headache, disorientation, double vision and problems with speech. If the ear is affected, the patient might have ringing in the ears, hearing loss and dizziness. If not treated appropriately, decompression sickness can cause permanent partial paralysis. Patients with type II decompression sickness need to be transported to the nearest hyperbaric chamber, where they will be placed under increased pressure until the gas bubbles are reduced in size until they can pass through the blood vessels, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Difficulty Breathing
In Type II decompression sickness, gas bubbles in the blood could travel to the lungs, according to the Mayo Clinic. Coughing, chest pain and difficulty breathing or choking will occur. The patient could go into shock and die, but that is a rare occurrence.
Bone and Joint Injuries
Professional divers who are exposed to high pressures underwater for long periods might develop decompression sickness that is not recognized, causing long-term damage to the bones and joints, notes the Merck Manual. Bone destruction, especially in the hip and shoulder, and arthritis can develop during a period of years and result in pain and disability. Joint replacement might be the only remedy available.
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