What condition is a diver most at risk for if proper dive planning is not followed?

Decompression sickness, commonly known as "the bends," is a condition that divers are highly susceptible to when proper dive planning is not adhered to.

This condition occurs when a diver ascends too rapidly after a dive, leading to the formation of nitrogen bubbles in the bloodstream and tissues. During a dive, especially at greater depths, the body absorbs more nitrogen due to increased pressure. If a diver does not allow sufficient time for the body to safely rid itself of excess nitrogen during ascent, those bubbles can cause various symptoms, ranging from joint pain to severe neurological issues.

Proper dive planning includes considerations such as depth, duration of the dive, ascent rates, and safety stops, all of which are designed to minimize the risk of decompression sickness. Ignoring these plans and ascending too quickly can significantly increase the likelihood of experiencing this potentially life-threatening condition.

While drowning, hypothermia, and barotrauma are also serious risks associated with diving, they are often linked to different circumstances or failures in dive execution rather than just the planning phase. Decompression sickness is fundamentally tied to the body's management of nitrogen and the adherence to outlined ascent practices, making it particularly critical in the context of dive planning.