The bends, also called decompression illness, is a situation that may happen when an individual ascends from a high-pressure surroundings, corresponding to scuba diving, too rapidly. It’s brought on by nitrogen bubbles forming within the physique’s tissues and might trigger quite a lot of signs, together with joint ache, fatigue, and shortness of breath. In extreme circumstances, the bends will be deadly. There are a variety of issues that may be performed to keep away from the bends, together with ascending slowly, staying hydrated, and avoiding alcohol and caffeine.
Avoiding the bends is vital for anybody who plans to scuba dive. By following the advisable pointers, divers can cut back their danger of growing this severe situation. Listed below are a number of the advantages of avoiding the bends:
- Diminished danger of significant harm or demise
- Sooner restoration time from dives
- Improved general well being and well-being
The bends has been acknowledged for hundreds of years, and there are a selection of historic accounts of people that have suffered from the situation. Within the early days of scuba diving, the bends was a typical incidence, and plenty of divers died from the situation. Nonetheless, as our understanding of the bends has improved, so too have our strategies of stopping it. Immediately, the bends is a comparatively uncommon incidence, and it’s simply avoidable by following the advisable pointers.
1. Ascending slowly
Ascending slowly is likely one of the most vital issues a diver can do to keep away from the bends. When a diver ascends too rapidly, nitrogen bubbles can type within the physique’s tissues, which might trigger quite a lot of signs, together with joint ache, fatigue, and shortness of breath. In extreme circumstances, the bends will be deadly.
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Diminished danger of bubble formation
Ascending slowly permits the physique to regulate to the reducing strain and prevents nitrogen bubbles from forming. The slower the ascent, the much less seemingly it’s that bubbles will type.
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Extra time for nitrogen to be eradicated
When a diver ascends slowly, the physique has extra time to eradicate nitrogen via the lungs. This helps to cut back the quantity of nitrogen within the physique and reduces the chance of bubbles forming.
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Safer for divers of all expertise ranges
Ascending slowly is an effective observe for divers of all expertise ranges. Even skilled divers can get the bends in the event that they ascend too rapidly. By ascending slowly, divers can cut back their danger of growing this severe situation.
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Required by dive tables and computer systems
Most dive tables and computer systems require divers to ascend slowly. These tables and computer systems are designed to assist divers keep away from the bends by calculating the secure ascent fee for a given dive profile. Divers ought to at all times comply with the ascent charges advisable by their dive tables or computer systems.
By ascending slowly, divers can cut back their danger of growing the bends and be sure that they’ve a secure and gratifying dive.
2. Staying hydrated
Staying hydrated is a vital a part of avoiding the bends. When a diver is dehydrated, their blood turns into thicker and extra viscous. This makes it harder for the physique to flow into blood and might result in the formation of nitrogen bubbles. Nitrogen bubbles could cause quite a lot of signs, together with joint ache, fatigue, and shortness of breath. In extreme circumstances, the bends will be deadly.
There are a variety of how to remain hydrated whereas diving. Divers ought to drink loads of fluids earlier than, throughout, and after their dives. They need to additionally keep away from consuming alcohol and caffeine, as these substances can dehydrate the physique.
Staying hydrated is particularly vital for divers who’re diving in deep water or for lengthy intervals of time. These divers usually tend to expertise decompression illness if they aren’t correctly hydrated.
Listed below are some suggestions for staying hydrated whereas diving:
- Drink loads of fluids earlier than, throughout, and after your dives.
- Keep away from consuming alcohol and caffeine.
- Eat vegetables and fruit which are excessive in water content material, corresponding to watermelon and cucumbers.
- In case you are diving in deep water or for lengthy intervals of time, think about using a hydration pack.
By following the following tips, divers may help to cut back their danger of growing the bends and be sure that they’ve a secure and gratifying dive.
3. Avoiding alcohol and caffeine
Avoiding alcohol and caffeine is a vital a part of how one can keep away from bends. Alcohol and caffeine can each dehydrate the physique, which might result in the formation of nitrogen bubbles. Nitrogen bubbles could cause quite a lot of signs, together with joint ache, fatigue, and shortness of breath. In extreme circumstances, the bends will be deadly.
Alcohol is a diuretic, which signifies that it causes the physique to lose water. This may result in dehydration, which might improve the chance of growing the bends. Caffeine can also be a diuretic, though to a lesser extent than alcohol. Nonetheless, caffeine may also improve the center fee and blood strain, which might put pressure on the physique and improve the chance of decompression illness.
There are a variety of real-life examples of how alcohol and caffeine can result in the bends. For instance, in 2015, a diver died from the bends after consuming alcohol and caffeine earlier than a dive. The diver was diving in deep water and for a protracted time period, which elevated his danger of decompression illness. The alcohol and caffeine additional elevated his danger by dehydrating his physique and placing pressure on his coronary heart and blood strain.
You will need to keep away from alcohol and caffeine earlier than and after diving to cut back the chance of growing the bends. Divers also needs to keep hydrated by consuming loads of fluids earlier than, throughout, and after their dives.
By following these pointers, divers may help to cut back their danger of growing the bends and be sure that they’ve a secure and gratifying dive.
4. Making security stops
Making security stops is a vital a part of how one can keep away from bends. A security cease is a time period spent at a particular depth throughout a dive, often between 15 and 20 toes (4.5 to six meters), earlier than ascending to the floor. Security stops enable the physique to regulate to the reducing strain and assist to forestall the formation of nitrogen bubbles. Nitrogen bubbles could cause quite a lot of signs, together with joint ache, fatigue, and shortness of breath. In extreme circumstances, the bends will be deadly.
There are a variety of the explanation why making security stops is vital for avoiding the bends. First, security stops enable the physique to off-gas nitrogen. Nitrogen is a fuel that’s absorbed into the physique’s tissues throughout a dive. When a diver ascends too rapidly, the nitrogen can come out of answer and type bubbles within the physique. These bubbles can block blood vessels and trigger quite a lot of signs, together with the bends.
Second, security stops enable the physique to flow into blood extra successfully. When a diver ascends too rapidly, the blood can pool within the decrease extremities. This may result in a lower in blood stream to the mind and different important organs. Security stops enable the center to pump blood extra successfully and assist to forestall this from taking place.
There are a variety of various methods to make security stops. One frequent technique is to make use of a dive laptop. A dive laptop is a tool that displays a diver’s depth, time, and ascent fee. Dive computer systems will be programmed to robotically calculate the suitable security stops for a given dive profile.
One other technique for making security stops is to make use of a security cease desk. A security cease desk is a desk that gives the advisable security cease depths and instances for various dive profiles. Divers can use a security cease desk to manually calculate the suitable security stops for his or her dives.
Whatever the technique used, you will need to make security stops on each dive. Security stops are an vital a part of how one can keep away from bends and guarantee a secure and gratifying dive.
5. Utilizing a dive laptop
A dive laptop is an digital system that displays a diver’s depth, time, and ascent fee. It will also be used to calculate the quantity of nitrogen that’s absorbed into the physique throughout a dive. This data can be utilized to assist divers keep away from decompression illness, also called the bends.
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Calculates decompression stops
Probably the most vital options of a dive laptop is its skill to calculate decompression stops. Decompression stops are pauses that divers make throughout their ascent to permit the nitrogen that has been absorbed into their our bodies to off-gas. This helps to forestall the formation of bubbles, which might trigger decompression illness.
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Screens ascent fee
One other vital characteristic of a dive laptop is its skill to observe a diver’s ascent fee. Ascending too rapidly can improve the chance of decompression illness. A dive laptop may help divers to keep away from this by offering an audible alarm if they’re ascending too rapidly.
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Tracks dive profile
Dive computer systems may also monitor a diver’s dive profile. This data can be utilized to assist divers to plan their dives and to keep away from decompression illness. For instance, a diver can use their dive laptop to see how lengthy they’ve been at a specific depth and the way a lot nitrogen they’ve absorbed.
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Supplies further data
Along with the options listed above, dive computer systems may also present quite a lot of different data, corresponding to water temperature, backside time, and air strain. This data will be helpful for divers to assist them plan their dives and to remain secure.
Utilizing a dive laptop is a vital a part of how one can keep away from bends. Dive computer systems may help divers to observe their dives and to make knowledgeable choices about their ascent fee and decompression stops. This may help to cut back the chance of decompression illness and to make sure a secure and gratifying dive.
FAQs about Tips on how to Keep away from Bends
Decompression illness, generally often called the bends, is a severe diving hazard that may happen when a diver ascends too rapidly from a dive. It’s brought on by nitrogen bubbles forming within the physique’s tissues, which might block blood stream and trigger quite a lot of signs, together with joint ache, fatigue, and shortness of breath. In extreme circumstances, the bends will be deadly.
Query 1: What’s an important factor I can do to keep away from the bends?
Reply: Ascend slowly. Ascending too rapidly is the most typical reason for the bends. Divers ought to at all times ascend at a fee of not more than 30 toes per minute (9 meters per minute).
Query 2: How lengthy ought to I wait earlier than flying after diving?
Reply: Divers ought to wait not less than 12 hours earlier than flying after diving. This permits the physique to off-gas nitrogen and reduces the chance of decompression illness.
Query 3: What are the signs of the bends?
Reply: The signs of the bends can range relying on the severity of the situation. Delicate signs might embody joint ache, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Extra extreme signs might embody paralysis, seizures, and lack of consciousness.
Query 4: What ought to I do if I feel I’ve the bends?
Reply: In case you suppose you could have the bends, you must search medical consideration instantly. Therapy for the bends usually includes recompression remedy, which includes respiratory pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber.
Query 5: Can I forestall the bends by consuming alcohol?
Reply: No. Consuming alcohol can really improve the chance of the bends. Alcohol dehydrates the physique and makes it harder for the physique to off-gas nitrogen.
Query 6: Is it secure to dive if I’ve a chilly?
Reply: No. Diving with a chilly can improve the chance of the bends. A chilly could cause congestion and make it troublesome to clear your ears. This may result in a situation referred to as barotrauma, which might injury the ears and sinuses.
Abstract of key takeaways or closing thought:
The bends is a severe diving hazard that may be averted by following just a few easy pointers. Divers ought to at all times ascend slowly, wait not less than 12 hours earlier than flying after diving, and keep away from diving if they’ve a chilly. By following these pointers, divers may help to cut back their danger of decompression illness and guarantee a secure and gratifying dive.
Transition to the subsequent article part:
For extra data on how one can keep away from the bends, please seek the advice of with a certified diving teacher or seek advice from the assets supplied by the Divers Alert Community (DAN).
Tricks to Keep away from Decompression Illness
Decompression illness, also called the bends, is a severe diving hazard that may happen when a diver ascends too rapidly from a dive. It’s brought on by nitrogen bubbles forming within the physique’s tissues, which might block blood stream and trigger quite a lot of signs, together with joint ache, fatigue, and shortness of breath. In extreme circumstances, the bends will be deadly.
There are a variety of issues divers can do to cut back their danger of decompression illness, together with:
Tip 1: Ascend slowly.
An important factor divers can do to keep away from the bends is to ascend slowly. Ascending too rapidly will increase the chance of nitrogen bubbles forming within the physique. Divers ought to at all times ascend at a fee of not more than 30 toes per minute (9 meters per minute).
Tip 2: Make security stops.
Security stops are pauses that divers make throughout their ascent to permit the nitrogen that has been absorbed into their our bodies to off-gas. This helps to cut back the chance of bubbles forming. Divers ought to make a security cease at 15 toes (4.5 meters) for 3 minutes, and one other security cease at 10 toes (3 meters) for five minutes.
Tip 3: Keep hydrated.
Dehydration can improve the chance of decompression illness. Divers ought to drink loads of fluids earlier than, throughout, and after their dives. Keep away from alcohol and caffeine, as these substances can dehydrate the physique.
Tip 4: Keep away from diving in case you are drained.
Diving if you end up drained can improve the chance of decompression illness. If you find yourself drained, your physique is much less in a position to compensate for the adjustments in strain that happen throughout a dive. Get evening’s sleep earlier than diving, and keep away from diving in case you are feeling fatigued.
Tip 5: Dive with a buddy.
Diving with a buddy may help to cut back the chance of decompression illness. Your buddy may help you to observe your ascent fee and just be sure you are following the advisable security pointers. Within the occasion that you simply expertise decompression illness, your buddy can present help and allow you to to get to the floor safely.
Tip 6: Use a dive laptop.
A dive laptop may help you to observe your depth, time, and ascent fee. This data may help you to keep away from decompression illness by guaranteeing that you’re ascending at a secure fee and making the suitable security stops.
Abstract of key takeaways or advantages:
By following the following tips, divers may help to cut back their danger of decompression illness and guarantee a secure and gratifying dive.
Transition to the article’s conclusion:
Decompression illness is a severe diving hazard, however it may be averted by following the advisable security pointers. By ascending slowly, making security stops, staying hydrated, and diving with a buddy, divers may help to cut back their danger of this doubtlessly life-threatening situation.
Decompression Illness Avoidance
Understanding how one can keep away from bends, or decompression illness, is a vital facet of diving security. This text has extensively explored the causes, signs, and preventive measures related to this situation. By adhering to the rules introduced, divers can considerably cut back their danger of decompression illness and guarantee a secure and gratifying underwater expertise.
In abstract, the important thing takeaways for avoiding bends embody ascending slowly, making security stops, staying hydrated, avoiding diving whereas fatigued, diving with a buddy, and utilizing a dive laptop. These measures work collectively to reduce the formation of nitrogen bubbles within the physique, which might result in decompression illness.
It’s crucial that divers prioritize security by following these pointers. Decompression illness is a severe situation that may have life-altering penalties. By taking the required precautions, divers can mitigate the dangers and maximize their diving experiences. Bear in mind, accountable diving practices result in a lifetime of underwater exploration and pleasure.
