decompression sickness

NOUN

condition caused by rapid change in atmospheric pressure

Synonyms

WEAK

aeroembolism air embolism bends caisson disease decompression disease diver's condition divers' palsy dysbaric illness the bends tunnel disease

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The four crew members spent two days “pre-breathing” to prevent becoming seriously ill from decompression sickness, known as getting “the bends”, as the pressure changed.

From BBC

If a diver returns to the surface too quickly, the nitrogen bubbles don't have time to dissipate - leading to a dangerous condition known as decompression sickness, also known as the bends.

From BBC

The incident, which occurred at 23:28 BST, led some people to believe that a real astronaut was suffering from decompression sickness in space.

From BBC

Mr. Small died of decompression sickness before he could be transported to a hospital.

From New York Times

Whales have been observed suffering from decompression sickness, behavioural changes and strandings after being exposed to noise pollution from ships, oil and gas surveying and construction.

From BBC