What is the condition known as "decompression sickness" (DCS)?

Decompression sickness (DCS) occurs when a diver ascends too quickly from a dive, causing dissolved gases, primarily nitrogen, to come out of solution and form bubbles in the body. Under high pressure, divers' bodies absorb more nitrogen than they would at surface pressure. If a diver ascends rapidly, the pressure decreases quickly, and the nitrogen that was dissolved in the tissues and bloodstream can precipitate out, forming bubbles. These bubbles can lead to a variety of symptoms ranging from joint pain to more severe conditions like neurological issues or decompression sickness, which can be life-threatening.

Understanding this process is essential for safe diving practices, as it emphasizes the importance of controlled ascents and the use of safety stops to allow gases to exit the body in a safe manner. This is why the chosen answer accurately captures the essence of DCS and its physiological basis following rapid ascents.