The bends, or decompression sickness, occurs when a scuba diver surfaces too fast. ... Decompression sickness (DCS) is caused by the formation of bubbles of gas that occur with changes in pressure during scuba diving.

What does it mean to be on the bends?

Decompression sickness, also called generalized barotrauma or the bends, refers to injuries caused by a rapid decrease in the pressure that surrounds you, of either air or water. It occurs most commonly in scuba or deep-sea divers, although it also can occur during high-altitude or unpressurized air travel.

What does the bends mean slang?

: a painful and dangerous condition caused by rising to the surface too quickly after being deep underwater breathing compressed air.