How can divers minimize the risk of decompression sickness?

Minimizing the risk of decompression sickness is crucial for the safety of divers, and ensuring adequate surface intervals is one of the most effective ways to achieve this. A surface interval is the time spent at the surface between dives, allowing nitrogen absorbed during the previous dive to safely off-gas from the body. By providing the body sufficient time to eliminate inert gas before undertaking another dive, divers can significantly reduce the chances of developing decompression sickness.

When divers ascend too quickly or do not allow for proper surface intervals, the nitrogen that has been absorbed into body tissues may come out of solution too quickly, leading to the formation of bubbles and potential symptoms of decompression sickness. This highlights the importance of following established diving tables or dive computers, which recommend specific surface intervals based on dive profiles to ensure safety.

Practicing longer dives, while potentially enjoyable, does not inherently improve safety from a decompression standpoint if the proper precautions, such as adequate surface intervals, are not maintained. Similarly, ascending rapidly and skipping log practices do not contribute positively to diver safety and can lead to increased risks.