Which condition is associated with increased decompression risk?

Which condition is associated with increased decompression risk?

• A. Warm air
• B. Deep water only
• C. High humidity
• D. Cold water

Answer: (D)

Cold water increases decompression risk because the body's response to cold is vasoconstriction, which lowers blood flow to the skin and extremities. When your tissues receive less blood flow, inert gas off-gassing during ascent is slowed, so more dissolved gas remains in the tissues. As you rise and ambient pressure drops, that supersaturated gas is more prone to form bubbles, raising the chance of decompression sickness. Warm air would promote vasodilation and improve off-gassing, while humidity and deeper water don’t have as direct an impact on the rate at which inert gas is eliminated from the body.

Cold water increases decompression risk because the body's response to cold is vasoconstriction, which lowers blood flow to the skin and extremities. When your tissues receive less blood flow, inert gas off-gassing during ascent is slowed, so more dissolved gas remains in the tissues. As you rise and ambient pressure drops, that supersaturated gas is more prone to form bubbles, raising the chance of decompression sickness. Warm air would promote vasodilation and improve off-gassing, while humidity and deeper water don’t have as direct an impact on the rate at which inert gas is eliminated from the body.