Bubble trouble: an introduction to diving medicine

Abstract

Decompression sickness (DCS) is due to the sudden release of nitrogen bubbles from saturated tissues, as predicted by Henry's Law and Dalton's Law Cerebral arterial gas embolism is due to pulmonary rupture and expansion of intravascular air bubbles, as predicted by Boyle's Law DCS may occur even if a diver keeps within the depth and time limits recommended by tables or a dive computer The greatest risk of pulmonary barotrauma occurs near the surface Never hold your breath when SCUBA diving.