Diver's Decompression Stage

Diver's decompression stages refer to the planned stops that a diver makes during ascent to the surface after a dive. These stops are necessary to allow the body to safely eliminate excess nitrogen that has been absorbed during the dive.

During a dive, the diver breathes compressed air or a gas mixture that contains nitrogen. As the diver descends, the increased pressure causes nitrogen to dissolve into the body's tissues. If the diver ascends too quickly, the nitrogen can form bubbles in the bloodstream, leading to decompression sickness, also known as "the bends."

To prevent decompression sickness, divers follow a decompression schedule, which includes specific depths and durations for each decompression stop. These stops allow the excess nitrogen to slowly be released from the body, reducing the risk of bubble formation.

The number and duration of decompression stops depend on various factors, including the depth and duration of the dive, the gas mixture used, and the diver's previous dive history. Divers may use dive tables, dive computers, or decompression software to calculate their decompression schedule.

It's important for divers to strictly adhere to their planned decompression stops to ensure their safety. Failure to do so can result in decompression sickness, which can range from mild symptoms like joint pain and skin rashes to more severe cases that require immediate medical attention.

It's worth noting that technical divers who engage in more advanced diving techniques, such as deep diving or diving with mixed gases, may have more complex decompression schedules with additional decompression stages.

Overall, diver's decompression stages are a crucial part of safe diving practices, allowing divers to safely ascend to the surface and avoid the risks associated with decompression sickness.