@hadriscus Kinda straight forward. When you SCUBA to deep depths or for extended period of time the increased pressure causes nitrogen to dissolve in your blood beyond what it normally could hold at the surface. Therefore as you start to come up that gas needs to come out of your blood, a bit like bubbles coming out of soda. If you do it gradually it can be relatively safe, if you do it quickly it is extremely lethal.

Decompression algorithms calculate the fastest you can safely come up and how long you must wait before ascending farther. Different algorithms use different models to simulate the situation and calculate the various values during a dive.

@freemo @hadriscus how do they come off your blood? Does it hurt?

@louiscouture

If you ascend slowly and safely then it comes out of your blood the same way CO2 comes out, through your lungs and breath, you dont even notice it.

If however you come up too quickly, particularly if you do so extremely rapidly, then it can be extremely painful and you can die very quickly, though less severe cases can be slow and recoverable.

Usually int he severe cases your blood literally boils and you get tons of bubbles circulating through your blood. This can have many symptoms from a rash to cognitive issues, to trouble breathing. It can quickly cause you to go unconscious and die.

The only treatment is a bariatric chamber where you sit in a high pressure chamber with the gas content regulated for some hours while it slowly lowers the pressure. Assuming you can even get to one in time.

@hadriscus

@freemo makes complete sense thanks for going into that explanation.

@hadriscus Happy to help