What can reduce the likelihood of decompression sickness after a long dive?

Extending surface intervals is a crucial practice in reducing the likelihood of decompression sickness (DCS) after a long dive. This practice allows dissolved nitrogen, which accumulates in the body during a dive due to increased pressure, to safely off-gas and be eliminated from the body. When divers ascend and return to the surface, nitrogen no longer remains dissolved in the body fluids under lower pressure, and it is essential to provide adequate time for this gas to escape.

By incorporating longer surface intervals, especially following deep or lengthy dives, divers give their bodies the necessary time to acclimate and reduce the risk of nitrogen bubbles forming in the tissues or bloodstream, which is the primary cause of DCS. This principle is supported by dive tables and decompression algorithms that emphasize the importance of proper ascent rates and sufficient surface intervals to mitigate the risks associated with repeated or prolonged diving activities.