Why do scuba divers get 'the bends' if they surface too quickly?
Gas solubility rises with pressure (Henry's law).
Gas solubility rises with pressure (Henry's law). Deep down, the high pressure dissolves extra nitrogen from the breathing air into the diver's blood and tissues. Surface too fast and the pressure drops suddenly, so that nitrogen can't stay dissolved — it fizzes out as bubbles (like opening a shaken soda), causing painful, dangerous decompression sickness. Slow ascents let the gas leave safely.
Key point
Henry's law: gas solubility ∝ partial pressure; a fast pressure drop releases dissolved gas as bubbles.
Common mistake
thinking the bends come from lack of oxygen.
Memory tip
high pressure dissolves gas; release it slowly or it bubbles out.
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