Known as the bends or, more technically, decompression sickness, the condition can be catastrophically painful and debilitating, and, depending on the depth, nearly impossible to survive. Diving to 250 feet for an hour, for example, would require a five-hour ascent to avoid getting even slightly bent.

Is saturation diving bad for your health?

There is some evidence of long term cumulative reduction in lung function in saturation divers. Saturation divers are frequently troubled by superficial infections such as skin rashes, otitis externa and athlete's foot, which occur during and after saturation exposures.

Do saturation divers get attacked by sharks?

Yes, sharks do attack divers, whether provoked or unprovoked. However, attacks are extremely rare, as sharks don't view scuba divers as a particularly appetizing prey. Most sharks are cautious of divers although, over the years, sharks have become bolder around people because of baiting. ...