What happens when you get the bends?

(Decompression Illness; 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.

How often do divers get the bends?

“DAN data indicates that there may be about 1,000 cases of DCS per year among recreational divers in the USA and Canada.” DCS can strike randomly — often one diver will get bent while his or her buddy completes the dive injury-free, even though their profiles were identical.

Why is it called the bends in diving?

Decompression sickness (DCS), known as ‘the bends’ because of the associated joint pain, is a potentially deadly condition caused by bubbles of nitrogen gas forming in the blood and tissues. It’s most common among divers using scuba tanks, but can affect free-divers and people at high altitude.

Is dying from the bends painful?

Beating the bends When divers ascend too quickly from deep waters, dissolved nitrogen in the blood forms bubbles which can cause excruciating pain in the muscles, paralysis, and in some cases even death.

What do the bends feel like?

Localized deep pain, ranging from mild to excruciating, mostly in large joints including the elbows, shoulders, hip, wrists, knees, and ankles. Sometimes it can feel like a dull ache, but rarely a sharp pain.

What does the Benz mean when diving?

Decompression sickness: Often called “the bends,” decompression sickness happens when a scuba diver ascends too quickly. Divers breathe compressed air that contains nitrogen. At higher pressure under water, the nitrogen gas goes into the body’s tissues.

Can you survive the bends?

Prognosis or outlook of people who develop the bends varies with the following factors: Prognosis is good with hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Delay to hyperbaric oxygen treatment: Although reports show that divers can do well after days of symptoms, delay in definitive treatment may cause damage that is irreversible.