Decompression sickness occurs when...

Decompression sickness occurs when...

• A. Air embolism from rapid ascent causing pain.
• B. Oxygen deficiency causes hypoxia in tissues.
• C. Nitrogen dissolved in blood is forced out of solution by decreased atmospheric pressure, forming gas bubbles in the body.
• D. Carbon dioxide buildup causing headaches.

Answer: (C)

Decompression sickness happens because nitrogen, which dissolves in body tissues under higher pressure, comes out of solution when ambient pressure falls during ascent. As you rise and the pressure drops, dissolved nitrogen forms gas bubbles inside blood and tissues. These bubbles can block small vessels and trigger inflammation, leading to symptoms such as joint or muscle pain, dizziness, numbness, chest pain, or neurologic changes. This is due to gas bubble formation from the dissolved nitrogen, not simply from oxygen shortage or carbon dioxide buildup. An air embolism would involve air entering the circulation through a puncture or injury, not the general decompression process. Treatment centers on 100% oxygen to help wash out the nitrogen and, if needed, hyperbaric therapy to recompress and safely resorb the bubbles.

Decompression sickness happens because nitrogen, which dissolves in body tissues under higher pressure, comes out of solution when ambient pressure falls during ascent. As you rise and the pressure drops, dissolved nitrogen forms gas bubbles inside blood and tissues. These bubbles can block small vessels and trigger inflammation, leading to symptoms such as joint or muscle pain, dizziness, numbness, chest pain, or neurologic changes. This is due to gas bubble formation from the dissolved nitrogen, not simply from oxygen shortage or carbon dioxide buildup. An air embolism would involve air entering the circulation through a puncture or injury, not the general decompression process. Treatment centers on 100% oxygen to help wash out the nitrogen and, if needed, hyperbaric therapy to recompress and safely resorb the bubbles.