Decompression sickness, commonly referred to as "the bends," represents one of the major health risks that all scuba divers face. Open water scuba certification courses should train you to follow certain safety procedures that will reduce your risk of decompression sickness. This risk will never disappear, however. If you experience joint pain or other decompression sickness symptoms after a dive, call for help immediately.
Decompression Sickness
As you dive, your body experiences increased atmospheric pressure and your blood and tissues absorb nitrogen gas. If you follow proper safety procedures and dive tables, a slow ascent should allow your body to release the absorbed nitrogen safely. If you ascend too quickly, however, the nitrogen escaping your tissues can form bubbles that disrupt your body's normal functioning.
Symptoms
In a study of divers who developed decompression sickness after a dive, about 89 percent experienced local joint pain, according to the National Association of Rescue Divers. Other common symptoms of decompression sickness include numbness and tingling, muscular weakness, dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea, visual disturbances, tinnitus and unconsciousness, according to Scuba Diving Magazine. A combination of joint pain and other symptoms indicates a strong likelihood of decompression sickness.
Time Frame
Symptoms of decompression sickness typically appear soon after the diver surfaces. In a study of divers who experienced this injury, about 50 percent of symptoms appeared within 30 minutes. If symptoms such as joint pain appear 24 hours after the dive, they probably do not indicate decompression sickness, according to National Association of Rescue Divers.
Remedies
All cases of decompression sickness require treatment by trained medical professionals. Contact emergency services or the Diver's Alert Network if you or a fellow diver experience decompression sickness symptoms. Pure oxygen gas provides the most important remedy while you wait for help. Breathing pure oxygen can help remove built-up nitrogen from your body and prevent tissue damage.
Prevention
Reduce your risk of decompression sickness by strictly following computer and dive table recommendations for safe dive times, decompression stops and surface intervals. Always dive with a buddy and be willing to abort dives if something feels wrong. Proper hydration can also reduce your risk of decompression sickness. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol on the days before a dive.
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