How should a diver respond to an uncontrolled ascent?

In the situation of an uncontrolled ascent, the primary focus for the diver is to manage their ascent rate safely to avoid complications such as decompression sickness. Attempting to slow their ascension while exhaling continuously is crucial for several reasons.

First, exhaling during an ascent helps to prevent lung over-expansion injuries, which can occur if a diver ascends too quickly. As the diver ascends, the pressure around them decreases, leading to the expansion of air in the lungs if the diver holds their breath. This can result in serious injury or even fatality. By continuously exhaling, the diver allows any expanding air to escape safely, reducing the risk of lung over-expansion.

Additionally, attempting to slow the ascent rate is vital to give the body adequate time to off-gas nitrogen absorbed during the dive, minimizing the risk of decompression sickness. Maintaining a controlled ascent rate, ideally around 30 feet per minute, is commonly taught in scuba training, emphasizing the importance of safety and the physiological effects of pressure changes on the body.

In contrast, ascending as quickly as possible would exacerbate the risk of injury due to rapid pressure changes. Inflating the buoyancy compensator can make the water pressure dynamics more dangerous if not executed properly in