What factors can increase the risk of decompression sickness (DCS)?

Diving while tired, cold, or injured can significantly increase the risk of decompression sickness (DCS). When you are fatigued, your body may not function optimally, which can impair your ability to manage buoyancy, monitor your air supply, and follow safety protocols. Cold can exacerbate this situation by constricting blood vessels and potentially leading to a less efficient circulatory system. Additionally, injury can further strain your body, making it harder to respond effectively to the stresses of diving.

Under these compromised conditions, the body might not be able to eliminate dissolved nitrogen efficiently, leading to the potential formation of bubbles during ascent, which is the primary cause of DCS. Therefore, ensuring good physical condition, warmth, and avoiding injury are essential in minimizing the risk of DCS while diving.