What can occur if a diver neglects to consider altitude effects when diving?

Neglecting to consider altitude effects when diving can significantly increase the risk of decompression sickness, also known as "the bends." As a diver ascends in altitude, the atmospheric pressure decreases, affecting the behavior of dissolved gases in the body. When a diver comes back up after a dive, the reduced pressure at higher altitudes means that nitrogen and other gases that were dissolved in the body's tissues may come out of solution more quickly. If the diver has not properly adjusted their ascent rate or calculated their decompression needs for the altitude they are at, bubbles can form in the bloodstream and tissues, leading to pain, injury, or even severe health complications.

Therefore, understanding and accounting for altitude effects is critical to maintaining safe diving practices—particularly in ensuring proper ascent rates and implementing safety stops as needed to allow the body adequate time to eliminate excess nitrogen. Neglecting these aspects can lead to harmful consequences and undermine the diver’s safety.