Dekompressiopysähdyksiä

Dekompressiopysähdyksiä, also known as decompression stops, are mandatory pauses during the ascent phase of a scuba dive. These stops are implemented to allow dissolved inert gases, primarily nitrogen, to safely off-gas from the diver's tissues. When a diver descends, the increased ambient pressure causes more gas to be absorbed into the body. If the ascent is too rapid, these gases can form bubbles within the tissues or bloodstream, leading to decompression sickness, commonly known as "the bends."

The depth and duration of decompression stops are determined by the dive profile, specifically the depth and bottom time. Dive computers and decompression tables are used to calculate these required stops. A typical decompression profile might involve ascending to a shallower depth and remaining there for a specific period before ascending further to another shallower stop, or eventually to the surface. The most common stop is often at 5 or 6 meters (15-20 feet).

The purpose of these stops is to gradually reduce the partial pressure of inert gases in the diver's body, allowing them to be eliminated through respiration without forming bubbles. Failing to perform required decompression stops can have serious health consequences, ranging from joint pain and skin rashes to paralysis and even death. Therefore, adherence to decompression procedures is a critical safety aspect of scuba diving. Divers are trained to plan their dives carefully, monitor their depth and time, and execute their ascents and any necessary stops precisely.