Decompression (diving) If the concentration gets too high, it may reach a stage where bubble formation can occur in the supersaturated tissues. When the pressure of gases in a bubble exceed the combined external pressures of ambient pressure and the surface tension of the bubble-liquid interface, the bubbles grow, and this growth can damage tissue. If the dissolved inert gases come out of solution within the tissues of the body and form bubbles, they may cause the condition known as decompression sickness, or DCS, also known as divers' disease, the bends or caisson disease. However, not all bubbles result in symptoms, and
Decompression illness its two components: "Decompression Sickness" and "Arterial Gas Embolism". Many signs and symptoms are common to both maladies, and it may be difficult to diagnose the actual problem. The dive history can be useful to distinguish which is more probable, but it is possible for both components to manifest at the same time following some dive profiles. First aid is common for both DCS and AGE: Treatment for the "Decompression Sickness" and the "Arterial Gas Embolism" components of DCI may differ significantly. Refer to the separate treatments under those articles. Decompression illness Decompression Illness (DCI) describes a range of symptoms