What happens when a diver ascends too quickly from a depth?

When a diver ascends too quickly from a depth, the primary concern is decompression sickness, often referred to as "the bends." This condition occurs because, at greater depths, the pressure increases, and divers absorb more nitrogen from the breathing gas (usually air) due to the higher pressures.

As a diver ascends too quickly, the pressure around them decreases rapidly, which can cause the nitrogen that has dissolved in their body tissues and blood to come out of solution and form bubbles. These bubbles can cause various symptoms, ranging from joint pain to more severe effects like paralysis or even death. This is why it is critical for divers to ascend slowly and perform safety stops at specified intervals to allow their bodies to off-gas the excess nitrogen safely.

Understanding decompression sickness is essential for safe diving practices, and awareness of proper ascent rates and procedures is a fundamental aspect of diver training and safety protocols.