Final answer:
Ascending too quickly while scuba diving can lead to decompression sickness (DCS), and divers should ascend when they reach their minimum ascent pressure or maximum allowable dive time. Changes in pressure are managed using a buoyancy compensator, and gas levels are monitored with gauges to prevent running out of air. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in decompression chambers is a treatment for DCS.
Step-by-step explanation:
When scuba diving, it is crucial for the safety of divers to manage their ascent to avoid potential risks associated with changes in pressure. Divers should plan to ascend as soon as the first diver reaches their minimum ascent pressure or maximum allowable dive time. Ascending too quickly can lead to decompression sickness (DCS), hence it's essential to ascend at recommended rates or to perform decompression stops.
The pressure experienced by a diver is called atmospheres absolute (ATA) and it changes with ocean depth. For each 33 feet of saltwater, there's an additional 1 ATA of pressure. Boyle's law states that as pressure decreases, the volume of gas increases, which must be managed with the use of a buoyancy compensator (BCD) to avoid uncontrolled ascents or descents.
To ensure divers do not run out of gas, they rely on gauges that indicate gas levels and pressure. Additionally, divers must be aware of the amount of time they spend underwater to prevent issues from pressurized gases in the body, also taking into account the fact that the deeper a diver dives, the faster they use up available air due to increased pressure.
To help divers with DCS, hyperbaric oxygen therapy might be used. This is often carried out in decompression chambers where divers breathe oxygen under pressure, which helps reduce the symptoms of DCS.