What Are the Bends in Scuba Diving? Causes & Prevention Guide

What Are the Bends in Scuba Diving? You’ve heard about the bends. But do you really know how they happen, and how to dodge them like a pro?

Let’s clear the air (and the nitrogen). Whether you’re fresh off your Open Water course or you’ve racked up hundreds of dives, reviewing what causes the bends in scuba diving is never a waste of time.

They go by many names—decompression sickness, DCS, the bends—but the risk is the same: ascending too fast, pushing your limits, or skipping safety stops can all put you in a tight spot.

This guide won’t scare you. It will prep you.
Because smart divers don’t dive in the dark, they dive informed.
Ready to refresh your knowledge, sharpen your safety game, and avoid mistakes? Let’s get to it.

1. What Are the Bends in Scuba Diving?

What are the bends in scuba diving? It is decompression sickness. Better, scuba decompression sickness.

Decompression sickness (or “the bends,” as American scuba divers call it) is one of those things that gets stuck in your head and makes you think, “That happens to other people, not me.”

Well, likely it won’t, but just maybe it will. It’s very unlikely but not impossible. So, knowing what causes it certainly doesn’t hurt.

Especially if you never, ever, want to end up in a hyperbaric chamber because of it.

Let’s get to the point, no drama, but no sugarcoating either.

2. What Causes the Bends from Scuba Diving?

When you dive, the pressure increases. And your body starts absorbing nitrogen from the compressed air you breathe. That gas dissolves into your blood and tissues. You don’t notice it. It doesn’t bother you. Everything’s fine… and that’s how it should stay.

The longer you’re down and the deeper you go, the more nitrogen builds up. And that nitrogen needs to come out slowly and calmly.

If you’re a recreational diver and you ascend slowly, everything will be just fine.

If you’ve exceeded the recreational dive limits and make the necessary decompression stops your computer tells you to, you’re good.

But if you shoot up like a cork, the pressure drops too fast, and the nitrogen doesn’t have time to leave your body the way it should. So, what happens? The nitrogen that was dissolved due to the pressure turns into bigger bubbles.

And that’s how you get the bends in diving.

Dive Profiles That Trigger the Bends

Not all dives are created equal. Some are just more risky than others. Here’s why:

• Depth: The deeper you go, the more nitrogen you absorb. No way around it.
• Bottom Time: The longer you stay, the more you soak. Your tissues load up like a credit card on Black Friday.
• Repetitive Dives: Doing several dives in one day? Residual nitrogen sticks around like an uninvited guest.
• Skipping Stops: Ignore your safety stop, and nitrogen says “thank you” for raising the probability of it turning into tiny internal saboteurs.

All these factors increase your chances of suffering from the scuba diving bends. And be careful: if you’ve done things wrong and it hasn’t happened to you before, it doesn’t mean it can’t happen to you.

Your Body Might Not Play Fair

Even when you do everything “by the book,” caution.

There are human bodies that choose not to cooperate. Some personal factors that alter the situation are:

• If you’re tired
• If you’re dehydrated
• If you’re cold
• If you have poor circulation or another condition such as diabetes, heart disease, or respiratory illnesses

All of this makes nitrogen elimination slightly more difficult.

Can You Get the Bends from Freediving?
Short version: yes, but it’s rare.

Your body doesn’t differentiate whether you’re a scuba diver or a freediver, the physics of nitrogen are the same for everyone.

Freedivers don’t breathe compressed air… well, they don’t breathe at all while underwater, so they don’t absorb as much nitrogen as scuba divers. But be careful: bends from freediving are possible.

If they do several deep dives in a row and don’t follow proper ascent times, the body doesn’t have time to release the small amount of nitrogen that does accumulate.

The risk is much lower than in scuba, but still real: decompression sickness can happen.

How Deep Do You Have to Dive to Get the Bends?

So, you’re wondering, “How deep do I have to go to get the bends?” Well, it’s not just about depth. Now, let’s focus on this specific aspect, but remember: depth, time, and how you ascend are what affect decompression sickness.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how deep you need to go to be at risk for decompression sickness. But as a general rule, any dive deeper than 10 meters increases the risk of nitrogen absorption.

3. What Are the Symptoms of the Bends in Diving?

Although in some cases, the symptoms of the bends in diving may appear after the diver has surfaced, most symptoms tend to show up within the first 24 hours. In rarer cases, symptoms can appear several days after the dive.

So, you’ve been diving, had an awesome time, and now you’re feeling some strange discomfort. And you’re wondering, “How do I know if I’ve got the bends?”.

Well, let’s break it down for you. Decompression sickness (DCS), the dreaded bends, has a wide range of symptoms. Most of them are mild, which is why you need to pay close attention.

Disclaim: If you notice any of these symptoms after a dive, do not waste time. Seek medical help immediately. Decompression sickness can worsen rapidly, and the sooner you get treatment, the better your chances of avoiding long-term damage.

Here’s the list.

The Common Symptoms of the Bends

• Fatigue: Feeling wiped out even after a short dive? That could be a sign.
• Joint Pain: The most notorious symptom—the pain usually comes in your elbows, knees, and shoulders.
• Dizziness: One minute you’re fine, the next, you can’t keep your balance. That could be your body’s way of saying something’s wrong.
• Confusion: Suddenly feeling disoriented or having trouble focusing? That’s another red flag.

Other Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

• Skin Bends: Yes, the bends can even affect your skin. Skin bends happen when nitrogen bubbles form near the skin’s surface, causing a rash or blisters. This is a sign of a more severe form of decompression sickness, so don’t ignore it.
• Neurological Symptoms: If you feel tingling, numbness, or even experience trouble speaking or seeing properly, these are signs that the bends are affecting your nervous system. Get immediate medical help, as these can lead to permanent damage.

Note: Percentages are approximate and may vary depending on the severity of the dive and the individual characteristics of the diver.

If the symptoms of decompression sickness (the bends) are ignored and immediate medical attention is not sought, the consequences can be serious. Do not ignore them.

4. How to Avoid the Bends While Scuba Diving

Let’s get something straight: the bends, aka decompression sickness (DCS), is one of those things you don’t want to mess with. It’s not just about how deep you dive; it’s all about how you ascend, how fast you do it, and whether you’re taking all the necessary precautions.

Dive with peace of mind, enjoy, have fun, and follow a few simple yet essential steps to avoid the bends while diving.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Ascend Slowly: Your Lifeline to Avoid the Bends

The number one rule to avoid the bends? Ascend slowly. The faster you rise, the more you’re playing in its favor.

Don’t rush it. Your ascent should never be faster than 9 meters (30 feet) per minute. It’s not about impatience; it’s about keeping the bends far away. And by the way, make sure to exhale continuously while you ascend. It helps release the nitrogen properly. So, slow down, breathe out, and ascend.

“A simple rule? Don’t ascend faster than your smallest bubbles.”
—Stephen, Dive Instructor

2. Safety Stops Are Your Best Friends

Safety stops aren’t just a suggestion—they’re crucial. After diving deep, you need to give your body time to off-gas that nitrogen safely. This is where the safety stop comes in. It’s a brief pause at 5 meters (15 feet) for about 3-5 minutes before you hit the surface. Think of it like a pit stop for your body to get rid of excess nitrogen.

3. Plan Your Dive with Tables or, Even Better, Dive Computers

You wouldn’t drive without a map, right? Same goes for scuba diving. Whether you’re using dive tables or a dive computer, planning your dive properly is a must to avoid the bends. These tools help you understand how deep you can go, for how long, and what your ascent should look like.

Dive computers take it a step further. They track your depth, time, and nitrogen load in real-time, making it easy to avoid exceeding safe limits. You’ll know exactly when it’s time for your safety stop and how fast you should ascend. If you’re serious about avoiding the bends, make sure you use these tools every time you dive.

4. Hydrate and Stay Healthy to Avoid the Bends

Hydration is your secret weapon. If you’re not hydrated, your body struggles to eliminate nitrogen effectively, putting you at higher risk for decompression sickness. It’s simple: drink plenty of water before and after your dive, and make sure you’re in good health. Your body will thank you by handling nitrogen more efficiently.

And here’s the thing: fitness matters. If your body is in shape, it’s better at expelling nitrogen. If you’re tired, sick, or hungover, don’t dive. Your body won’t be able to handle the nitrogen load properly, and that’s a risk you don’t want to take.

“Don’t dive angry, hungover, or thinking you’re invincible.
Your mindset affects your judgment. Dive calm, focused, and humble.
The ocean doesn’t care if you’re an advanced diver or Neptune’s cousin. Respect the rules, show it some respect, and it’ll reveal its secrets.”
—Theresa, SDI Dive Instructor

5. Training and Practice Keep the Bends at Bay

Let’s not sugarcoat it: the most reliable way to avoid the bends is to know what you’re doing. Scuba diving courses give you the tools and knowledge you need to dive safely. You’ll learn how to ascend slowly, when to take safety stops, and how to plan your dive effectively.

The more practice you get, the more natural these steps become. Bends? Not on your watch. With proper training, you’ll know exactly what to do, and your body will be equipped to handle the pressures of diving without incident.

In a nutshell, avoiding the bends is all about prevention. Take your time during ascents, plan your dives, hydrate, and don’t skip those safety stops or surface intervals.

6. Nitrox Diving: Your Secret Weapon to Avoid the Bends

Wanna reduce the risk of the bends like a pro? Here’s a trick that’s not so secret anymore: Nitrox, also called enriched air. It’s not witchcraft, but it might as well be. Why? Because enriched air has more oxygen and less nitrogen than regular air. And if nitrogen is what’s giving you trouble, hello, decompression sickness, this stuff can help.

By breathing less nitrogen during your dive, your body absorbs less of it. That means you lower your risk of decompression sickness, especially when doing repetitive dives or staying down for long periods. Sounds good, right?

But here’s the deal: Nitrox isn’t something you just switch to without knowing what you’re doing. You need proper training to understand oxygen exposure limits, how to use your dive computer with it, and how to plan your dive safely.

5. Treatment for the Bends: What to Do If You Suspect It

And the best bends treatment? Prevention. But if you’re already here, don’t mess around. Get help. Fast.

Let’s be clear: the bends are no joke. If you even suspect that you might be dealing with decompression sickness, don’t wait around hoping it’ll magically disappear after a nap and a Gatorade. That’s not how the cure for the bends works.

First thing: get yourself to a medical facility with a hyperbaric chamber. That’s right — the famous bends chamber. It works by putting you back under pressure in a controlled environment, forcing the nitrogen bubbles that caused the bends to shrink and dissolve safely. Basically, it’s a reset button for your body after a dive gone wrong.

But here’s the deal. While you’re making your way there:

• Don’t fly. No, seriously. Flying right after a dive with symptoms of the bends is like lighting a match next to a gas leak.
• Stay hydrated. Not with margaritas, with water or electrolyte drinks. Good hydration helps your body flush out excess nitrogen.
• Rest and monitor symptoms, but don’t waste time waiting for them to get worse. You’re not being dramatic; you’re being smart.

There’s no magical home treatment for the bends. No coconut oil, no yoga, no “walk it off.” If you need the bends chamber, you need it now, not tomorrow, not when it’s more convenient.

In summary, now you know what the bends are in scuba diving. They are not a myth to scare new divers. They’re real. They hurt. And yes, they can ruin more than just your dive trip. But with training, awareness, and a bit of common sense, they’re almost 100% avoidable.