decompression sickness
noun1
Medicine, Pathology, Sciences A sometimes fatal condition resulting from the formation of nitrogen bubbles in the blood and tissues, because of too rapid decompression, seen especially in deep-sea divers ascending rapidly from a dive. It is characterized by severe pains in the joints and chest, skin irritation, cramps, nausea, and paralysis.
- The diver suffered underwater decompression sickness after searching for the bodies of the Italians who, according to Italy’s foreign ministry, had “apparently died while attempting to explore caves at a depth of 50 metres (164ft)”.2026 May 16, Donna Ferguson, “Maldives diver dies in operation to recover bodies of Italians from cave”, in The Guardian, →ISSN: