What can reduce the risks of decompression sickness?

Reducing the risks of decompression sickness involves several principals related to the body's management of nitrogen during and after dives. Proper diet and maintaining a healthy weight are important factors because they can influence how efficiently your body metabolizes gases, including nitrogen. A well-balanced diet ensures that your body is functioning optimally, which can aid in the elimination of excess nitrogen absorbed during diving.

Additionally, being at a healthy weight can help reduce the risk of decompression sickness because individuals who are overweight may have a larger body mass that could retain nitrogen for longer periods compared to those at a healthy weight. This bias toward nitrogen retention can increase the likelihood of developing decompression sickness.

While exercise and hydration are certainly beneficial for overall diving safety and performance, they do not directly influence the body's ability to manage nitrogen during decompression. Increased dive experience contributes to better decision-making and risk assessment but does not fundamentally alter the physiological processes related to decompressioning. Lastly, frequent monitoring of air supply is critical for dive safety, but it does not directly address the management of nitrogen absorption and release in relation to decompression risks.