Final answer:
During normal diving conditions, the ascent rate should never exceed 10 to 20 meters per minute to avoid decompression sickness (DCS). Divers should ascend slowly or make decompression stops to release gases gradually and reduce the risk of bubble formation.
Step-by-step explanation:
During normal diving conditions, the ascent rate should never exceed 10 to 20 meters per minute. If a diver ascends too quickly, the decrease in ambient pressure can cause the dissolved gases in their blood to form bubbles, leading to decompression sickness (DCS).
To avoid DCS, divers must ascend slowly or make decompression stops at given depths during the ascent. This allows the gases to be released from the body gradually, reducing the risk of bubble formation and associated symptoms. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in decompression chambers is often provided to divers with DCS.