What condition can result from a rapid ascent from a deep dive?

Decompression sickness (DCS) occurs when a diver ascends too quickly from a deep dive, causing nitrogen dissolved in the body’s tissues to come out of solution and form bubbles. This is due to a decrease in pressure as the diver ascends, which can result in bubbles forming in the bloodstream and tissues. Symptoms can vary but may include joint pain, dizziness, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, it can lead to paralysis or even death.

This condition emphasizes the importance of following proper ascent rates and safety stops during a dive to allow the nitrogen to be safely expelled from the body. Understanding DCS is critical in dive safety training, as it is one of the most significant risks associated with scuba diving and can be avoided with proper ascent procedures. The other conditions listed do not directly result from rapid ascent. For example, hypothermia is related to cold water exposure, barotrauma is caused by pressure differences during ascent or descent, and hypercapnia results from elevated carbon dioxide levels due to inadequate ventilation.