What occurs due to nitrogen absorption during a dive?

During a dive, as a diver descends and remains at depth, the body absorbs nitrogen from the breathing gas at a greater rate due to increased pressure. This absorption of nitrogen occurs because the solubility of gases increases under pressure. As the diver ascends, the pressure decreases, causing nitrogen to come out of solution and potentially create bubbles in body tissues or the bloodstream if the ascent is too rapid or without proper decompression stops.

This phenomenon leads to an increased risk of decompression sickness, commonly known as "the bends." Decompression sickness can occur if nitrogen bubbles form quickly as a diver ascends, which can cause various symptoms, ranging from joint pain to potentially life-threatening complications. Therefore, proper ascent procedures and allowing sufficient time for nitrogen to be safely eliminated from the body are critical to avoid this risk.

The other options do not accurately reflect the physiological effects of nitrogen absorption during a dive. For example, increased buoyancy is typically not a direct consequence of nitrogen absorption, nor does absorption enhance physical performance or decrease body warmth significantly. These concepts are important for divers to understand to ensure safety and effective diving practices.