Decompression sickness, often referred to colloquially as “the bends” or, in some contexts, “The Benz Diving”, is a condition that can affect divers when they experience a rapid decrease in ambient pressure. This typically occurs when ascending too quickly from a dive. To understand this condition, it’s crucial to grasp the behavior of gases, particularly nitrogen, under pressure within the human body.
When a diver descends into the water, the pressure surrounding them increases significantly. For every 33 feet (approximately 10 meters) of seawater, the pressure increases by one atmosphere (14.7 psi). This increased pressure causes the nitrogen in the air a diver breathes from their tank to dissolve into the body’s tissues at a higher rate. The deeper and longer a diver stays underwater, the more nitrogen gets absorbed into their tissues. Unlike oxygen, which the body metabolizes, nitrogen is an inert gas and is not used by the body. It accumulates in tissues over the duration of the dive.
Think of a carbonated beverage as an analogy. Carbon dioxide gas is dissolved in the liquid under pressure. When you open the bottle, you release the pressure, and the dissolved gas comes out of the solution as bubbles. A similar process occurs in a diver’s body. As a diver ascends, the ambient pressure decreases, and the nitrogen that has dissolved in the tissues needs to be released.
If a diver ascends too rapidly, the dissolved nitrogen comes out of solution too quickly and forms bubbles in the tissues and bloodstream. These nitrogen bubbles are the primary cause of decompression sickness symptoms. The location and size of these bubbles determine the type and severity of the symptoms. These bubbles can obstruct blood flow, compress or stretch nerves, and damage blood vessels. Furthermore, they can trigger a cascade of harmful physiological responses, including blood coagulation, the formation of emboli (blockages in blood vessels), and the release of vasoactive compounds that can further disrupt normal bodily functions.
The risk of developing decompression sickness is directly related to several factors:
- Depth of the Dive: Deeper dives expose the diver to higher pressures, leading to greater nitrogen absorption.
- Time at Depth (Bottom Time): Longer dives allow more time for nitrogen to be absorbed into the tissues.
- Ascent Rate: Rapid ascents do not allow sufficient time for the body to eliminate excess nitrogen safely through respiration.
To mitigate the risk of decompression sickness, divers use dive tables or dive computers. These tools provide guidelines based on depth and bottom time to ensure that divers ascend at a safe rate and may include decompression stops – pauses at specific depths during ascent to allow for gradual nitrogen release. Following established diving procedures and guidelines is paramount in preventing “the benz diving” and ensuring diver safety.
In conclusion, decompression sickness, or “the benz diving,” is a serious risk associated with scuba diving. It is caused by the formation of nitrogen bubbles in the body due to rapid pressure reduction during ascent. Understanding the factors that contribute to this condition and adhering to safe diving practices, including controlled ascent rates and the use of dive tables or computers, are essential for preventing decompression sickness and ensuring the well-being of divers.
