Explain the term 'decompression sickness'.

Decompression sickness, commonly referred to as "the bends," occurs when a diver ascends too rapidly after being at depths where they are exposed to higher pressure. During a dive, the body absorbs nitrogen from the air in the breathing mix due to the increased pressure underwater. If a diver ascends too quickly, the nitrogen that has been absorbed does not have enough time to safely and gradually be eliminated from the body. This rapid decrease in pressure can cause the dissolved nitrogen to form bubbles in the bloodstream and tissues, leading to a variety of physical symptoms ranging from joint pain to serious medical emergencies like paralysis or death.

This phenomenon is specifically tied to the physics of gas laws, particularly Henry's Law, which explains how gases behave under pressure. The incorrect options do not accurately describe the nature of decompression sickness. Prolonged diving may increase the risk of developing this condition, but the core issue is the rapid ascent and the resultant pressure changes. Additionally, decompression sickness is not related to disease transmission in water or high oxygen levels, as the condition stems primarily from nitrogen bubbles forming rather than from excessive oxygen exposure.