What does decompression sickness primarily result from?

Decompression sickness, commonly referred to as "the bends," primarily results from nitrogen buildup in body tissues. When divers are underwater, they breathe air that contains nitrogen, which is absorbed into the body's tissues under increased pressure. As a diver ascends to the surface, the pressure decreases, and if they ascend too quickly or do not allow enough time for the nitrogen to safely leave their tissues, it can form bubbles. These bubbles can cause various symptoms that range from joint pain to serious neurological damage.

The context of this understanding highlights why the other options are less relevant to the primary cause of decompression sickness. Excessive exertion underwater can indeed affect a diver's nitrogen absorption and overall safety, but it is not the fundamental mechanism behind decompression sickness itself. Skipped decompression stops certainly can exacerbate the risk, as they allow for insufficient time to eliminate nitrogen from the body, but again, the core issue lies with nitrogen accumulation. Rapid ascents to the surface directly impact the rate at which pressure decreases, increasing the likelihood of nitrogen coming out of solution quickly and causing bubbles to form. However, without the initial nitrogen buildup in the tissues, the condition would not occur.

Overall, the key element leading to decompression sickness is the nitrogen buildup