Since 2002, Vikram (“Vik”) Uppal has overseen operations at Aid India as one of its cofounders. In this capacity, he organizes events and handles fundraising for the San Francisco-based charity. An avid outdoorsman in his free time, Vikram Uppal enjoys scuba diving.
Also known as the bends, decompression sickness results from the formation of nitrogen bubbles in the bloodstream and body tissues. This nitrogen comes from the air tank that scuba divers use to breathe. This tank consists of roughly 80 percent nitrogen and 20 percent oxygen. While the body uses oxygen, it stores the nitrogen in the blood and tissue. The nitrogen then comes out as divers ascend, but if they ascend too fast, it leaves the blood and tissues too quickly, thus causing nitrogen bubbles.
Divers prevent the bends by ascending at a slow rate. Divers should not ascend at a rate faster than 30 feet per minute. Further, they must stop every 15 feet to decompress. During these decompression stops, the body eliminates the stored nitrogen.
Besides this, divers must avoid exerting themselves immediately after a dive. They should also skip a planned dive when they feel under the weather. If any symptoms of the bends appear, such as pain near the joints, dizziness, or impaired mental status, divers must seek medical attention so the condition doesn’t worsen.
Also known as the bends, decompression sickness results from the formation of nitrogen bubbles in the bloodstream and body tissues. This nitrogen comes from the air tank that scuba divers use to breathe. This tank consists of roughly 80 percent nitrogen and 20 percent oxygen. While the body uses oxygen, it stores the nitrogen in the blood and tissue. The nitrogen then comes out as divers ascend, but if they ascend too fast, it leaves the blood and tissues too quickly, thus causing nitrogen bubbles.
Divers prevent the bends by ascending at a slow rate. Divers should not ascend at a rate faster than 30 feet per minute. Further, they must stop every 15 feet to decompress. During these decompression stops, the body eliminates the stored nitrogen.
Besides this, divers must avoid exerting themselves immediately after a dive. They should also skip a planned dive when they feel under the weather. If any symptoms of the bends appear, such as pain near the joints, dizziness, or impaired mental status, divers must seek medical attention so the condition doesn’t worsen.