What Does The Bends Mean In Scuba Diving?

The Bends in Scuba Diving, also known as decompression sickness (DCS), is a medical condition caused by dissolved gases. It occurs when nitrogen bubbles expand in the bloodstream and cause injuries when a diver breathes under high pressure. The deeper a dive, the higher the pressure, and the more nitrogen the body absorbs. Normally, this nitrogen is released without effect as the diver slowly ascends. The Bends in Scuba Diving serves as a reminder of the balance between exploration and respect for nature’s laws.

DCS, also known as divers disease, the bends, aerobullosis, and caisson disease, is a medical condition caused by a rapid decrease in the pressure that occurs when dissolved gases, mainly nitrogen, are released from the bloodstream and other tissues. It can occur following uneventful dives within accepted no-decompression limits, but is more likely after dives that involve a rapid underwater ascent.

To avoid the Bends in Scuba Diving, it is essential to be aware of the risks associated with diving, such as the risk of decompression sickness, which can result from inadequate decompression practice following exposure to increased pressure. It is crucial for all divers, regardless of their experience level, to be aware of these risks and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during their underwater adventures.

Why do they call it the bends?

If this transition occurs too quickly, the nitrogen does not have time to clear from your blood. Instead, it separates out of your blood and forms bubbles in your tissues or blood. It is these nitrogen bubbles that cause decompression sickness. The condition is called the bends because the joint and bone pains can be so severe they double you over.

What happens inside your body during decompression sickness is similar to what happens when you open a carbonated drink. When you open the can or bottle, you decrease the pressure surrounding the beverage in the container, which causes the gas to come out of the liquid in the form of bubbles. If nitrogen bubbles form in your blood, they can damage blood vessels and block normal blood flow.

Factors that put you at higher risk of decompression sickness include:

• Heart muscle birth defects, including patent foramen ovale, atrial septal defect, and ventricular septal defect
• being older than 30
• being female
• low cardiovascular fitness
• high percentage of body fat
• use of alcohol or tobacco
• fatigue, seasickness or lack of sleep
• injuries (old or current)
• diving in cold water
• lung disease.

What happens when you get the bends?

(Caisson Disease; The Bends) Decompression sickness is a disorder in which nitrogen dissolved in the blood and tissues by high pressure forms bubbles as pressure decreases. Symptoms can include fatigue and pain in muscles and joints.

Why do free divers not get the bends?

Decompression sickness (DCS) after freediving is very rare. Freedivers simply do not on-gas enough nitrogen to provoke DCS. Thus, very few cases of DCS in freedivers have ever been reported, and these have involved repeated deep dives in a short time frame.

Decompression sickness (DCS) after freediving is very rare. Freedivers simply do not on-gas enough nitrogen to provoke DCS. Thus, very few cases of DCS in freedivers have ever been reported, and these have involved repeated deep dives in a short time frame.

Regardless of how, when or in what type of diving, DCS does happen, and it’s important to be prepared for it. When a dive accident such as a case of DCS does occur, insurance from Divers Alert Network can be instrumental in facilitating medical care. With more than 40 years of experience in the dive industry, DAN is well equipped to help individuals in a wide range of scenarios — even scenarios that may not be on your radar.

Freediving record holder and DAN member Andrew had spent months preparing for a freediving competition in Indonesia with a goal to dive to 100 meters (328 fee). Once in Indonesia, Andrew devised a five-day training plan to lead up to the competition. For the first three days, he would dive deep but within his limits once each day, and then leave two days to rest up before the competition. Everything had gone according to plan until the third day when things started to unravel.

Why can’t you dive again after getting the bends?

I read an article that said because decompression illness can cause subtle but lasting changes in the circulatory system, doctors recommend that someone who has suffered the bends never dive again. Is this true?via e-mail.

Not entirely. There are many different forms of decompression illness. Some leave few indications of its presence; but some leave significant scarring, particularly in the central nervous system.

Many physicians believe a person should not return to diving if he or she has experienced severe neurological spinal or cerebral decompression illness (Type II) with residual neurological symptoms. One of the reasons for this is the known increased risk of recurrent decompression illness in the area of scarring from the previous sites of the bubbles.

How to avoid the bends when diving?

By using dive computers or dive charts to plan dives that adhere to no-decompression limits.by following those dive plans.by taking a safety stop at the end of each dive.by taking sufficient surface intervals between dives.by using gas mixes with less nitrogen.

At what depth can a diver get the bends?

At What Depth Do You Get the Bends When Diving?. There’s no exact depth where you might “get bent”. However, the deeper you dive, the more nitrogen you’ll absorb, and the greater the risk. Fortunately, the PADI Open Water Diver course teaches you how to use planning tools, such as dive tables or computers. These tell you how long and deep you can dive to reduce DCS risks and help prevent the bends.

The biggest pressure difference is from 10 meters (33 feet) to the surface, so ascending too quickly at the end of your dive could lead to DCS. It’s why scuba divers slowly ascend and make a three-minute safety stop at five meters (16 feet) to give our bodies time to get rid of excess nitrogen.

What Are the Symptoms of the Bends?. While DCS can be categorized into two types – Type 1 (mild) and Type 2 (severe) – the signs and symptoms aren’t always the same for everyone. They might include:

How do divers avoid the bends?

How to Avoid the Bends From Scuba DivingKeep properly hydrated. Dehydration is one of the most common causes of DCS. … Avoid Alcohol. It’s common sense not to dive under the influence. … Stay Fit. … Have a Dive Plan. … Always Ascend Slowly. … Do Not Fly After Diving. … Keep a Smooth Dive Profile.

The thrill of the dive is always overshadowed by the potential onslaught of decompression sickness. And no one wants their experience of the deep to be dangerous. The trouble is you can never fully prevent getting the bends from scuba diving. But the good news is you can significantly reduce your risk of getting it when you’re down in the deep.

So, let’s put your mind at ease with the following tips to do just that.

What is Decompression Sickness?. As a diver, you’re probably already aware of DCS (the bends) from your training. But if you’re new to diving, or a little worried about getting it, it helps to know a little more about what causes it.

Can you dive again after the bends?

• After pain-only DCI without neurological symptoms, you can consider a return to diving after a minimum of two weeks.
• With minor neurological symptoms, consider returning after six weeks.
• If you had severe neurological symptoms or have any residual symptoms, you should not return to diving.

You should always consult with a physician before returning to diving. Even if symptoms were not severe and they resolved completely, if you have had multiple instances of decompression illness, you must make special considerations. If you are getting DCI when other divers who dive the same profile are not, you may have elevated susceptibility. In these cases, consult a dive medicine specialist to determine if you can safely resume diving.

What is the 120 rule in scuba diving?

The simplest form of dive bezel is used in conjunction with a set of tables that indicates the no-decompression limit for each depth. You set the zero mark (usually an arrow) opposite the minute hand, and as time passes, the dive time is shown on the bezel. Knowing the maximum time allowable against the maximum depth indicated on a depth gauge makes for a safe dive. There is an old and questionably reliable rule, known as the “120 Rule” that says if you subtract your max depth from 120, you’ll get your no-deco time. So an 80-foot dive gives you 40 minutes before it’s time to head back to the surface. In a pinch, sure, but multi-level diving and time spent at each depth also plays a factor.

The author with a Rolex Submariner on one wrist and decompression plan slate on the other.

A step beyond the simple elapsed time bezel is the so-called “no-deco” bezel, patented by Doxa in 1967. This double scale bezel takes the place of those clunky and not exactly waterproof tables, by engraving the no-deco limits right on the outer ring. Set the zero mark to the minute hand when you descend, and the scale indicates when to surface for depths from 60 feet (60 minutes) down to 190 feet (4 minutes). This bezel type was also adopted by other brands like Eterna and Heuer, and is mainly aimed at the sport diver, who is sticking to recreational depths and doing strictly no-decompression diving. Similarly, Citizen printed the no-deco limit scale on the rubber strap provided with its Aqualand dive watches of the 1980s.

How long do you stay in a decompression chamber?

U.S. Navy Table 6 consists of compression to the depth of 60 feet (18m) with the patient on oxygen. The diver is later decompressed to 30 feet (9.1m) on oxygen, then slowly returned to surface pressure. This table typically takes 4 hours 45 minutes. It may be extended further. It is the most common treatment for type 2 decompression illness.(citation needed)

U.S. Navy Table 5 is similar to Table 6 above, but is shorter in duration. It may be used in divers with less severe complaints (type 1 decompression illness).(citation needed)

U.S. Navy Table 9 consists of compression to 45 feet (14m) with the patient on oxygen, with later decompression to surface pressure. This table may be used by lower-pressure monoplace hyperbaric chambers, or as a follow-up treatment in multiplace chambers.(citation needed)