Final answer:
Decompression sickness (DCS) presents greater danger to older and overweight men. It occurs when divers ascend too quickly, leading to the formation of gas bubbles in their blood. Preventative measures include slow ascent and decompression stops, and treatments may involve hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Older and overweight men face greater risks for decompression sickness (DCS), also known as 'the bends.' This condition arises when a diver ascends too rapidly, causing dissolved gases in their blood to become less soluble due to the decreasing ambient pressure.
The resultant gas bubbles can cause symptoms ranging from rashes and joint pain to paralysis and even death. To mitigate these risks, it is essential for divers to ascend slowly, usually at speeds of 10 to 20 m/min, and make multiple decompression stops if necessary. When preventative measures like these fail, affected divers may require hyperbaric oxygen therapy in decompression chambers. Additionally, research by barophysiologists such as Ingrid Eftedal is advancing our understanding of the physiological changes like those in white blood cells, which could lead to improved testing and management of DCS.