What are the stages of decompression?

The stages of decompression primarily involve desaturation, stops, and re-saturation. During a dive, as a diver descends, nitrogen from the breathing gas dissolves into the body’s tissues. Upon ascending, it is crucial to manage this dissolved nitrogen to avoid decompression sickness (DCS), often referred to as "the bends."

Desaturation refers to the process of safely releasing the dissolved nitrogen from the tissues back into the bloodstream as the pressure decreases during ascent. This is typically accomplished through planned stops at certain depths, known as decompression stops, which allow the diver's body to gradually off-gas the nitrogen at a controlled rate. Finally, re-saturation can refer to the stabilization of nitrogen levels in the body at the new pressure after ascent or the ingestion of nitrogen-rich air again once safely at the surface.

This framework is critical for ensuring the diver's safety as it mitigates risks associated with rapid changes in pressure, emphasizing the importance of a controlled ascent and well-planned stops. Other aspects, such as monitoring depth and time, are indeed valuable in the diving process, but they do not encapsulate the specific stages of decompression itself. Similarly, checking air supply and equipment is essential for safety but not related to the physiological stages