T70: Effects of air pressure and water pressure

T70.3: Caisson disease [decompression sickness]

The ambient pressure in water is water pressure and increases with depth. If you dive at a great depth or in special pressure chambers, you are subject to a very high ambient pressure. If the ambient pressure suddenly drops through quickly coming up from a great depth, for example, gas bubbles can form in the blood. These gas bubbles can block blood vessels, for example, and thereby damage body tissue. If tissue gets damaged when coming up, this is known as the bends.

A sudden change in ambient pressure can make you feel very tired. Your head, muscles, and joints may hurt. You might also find breathing more difficult or feel dizzy. The skin can also itch or go numb in places. It may also be that you are no longer able to move certain parts of your body properly.