"The bends" is a slang term for Decompression Sickness. When breathing compressed air at high pressures for extended times, nitrogen gas is forced into the blood. When the pressure is released, the dissolved gas appears as bubbles (like the carbon dioxide bubbles in a soda). The bubble accumulate at joints, causing severe pain, making you curl up (bend) In severe cases, the bubbles can damage the brain, causing a stroke- and death.
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