The Bends So what is “the bends”? The bends, also known as decompression sickness (DCS), occurs in scuba divers when dissolved gases such as nitrogen come out of the water and enter the body in bubbles. This can affect body areas such as the joints, lungs, heart, skin, and brain. Symptoms What happens if I get the bends? The Bends can lead to joint pain and tiredness, and in extreme cases embolisms*, strokes, and even death. If you have the bends, seek help immediately, and remember to always dive with a partner. *Embolism-A sudden blocking of an artery Causes What causes the bends? The bends is caused by a reduction in the pressure surrounding a body, or in other words a diver decompressing too quickly. When you dive, bubbles of nitrogen form in your blood. When you resurface from a dive, the nitrogen in your blood becomes less soluble, which means it dissolves less easily. Therefore, if you ascend from a dive too quickly, the nitrogen won't have enough time to leave your body, so it will form the painful bubbles that cause the bends. Gas Law Which gas law relates to the bends? When a diver ascends, the water pressure around them decreases, and the air inside of the divers gear and body expand to occupy a greater volume. This relates to Boyle's Law because the volume of the diver and their gear expand as more pressure is applied. Boyle's Law states that the volume occupied by a gas at a constant temperature is inversely proportional to the pressure applied, which is what is happening as divers ascend and descend.