When your body has been under extreme pressure you need a time of decompression. Divers know this. The longer they’re down there, the more important it becomes. They must pay close attention to their ascent. Decompress too rapidly and bad things, man. Inert gases that have been dissolved under high pressure turn into bubbles that galavant around your body. You can thank the breathing apparatus for this. These bubbles can travel everywhere but are more likely to settle in certain areas. Known as decompression sickness, this phenomenon was first observed in 1670 by Robert Boyle who placed a viper in a vacuum. He witnessed a gas bubble form in the viper’s eye. The viper didn’t like it.
In humans, joint pain is the most common symptom. They call this “the bends.”
It’s frightfully painful according to Wikipedia.
When the gas gets to your lungs they call it “the chokes” which is less common but sounds worse.
(Makes you want to get your SCUBA certification, doesn’t it?)
Gas bubble attacks are a danger of diving deep. Not to mention, you never know what you’ll find down there. Carl Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, saw water as a symbol of the unconscious. Above the waterline, consciousness. Below, dreams and symbols. And you never know what you’ll find down there.
Wait, we said that already.
(Well, it’s true.)
If you spend too much time in the deep some weird stuff can happen when you return. (We’re talking about any time you dig deeper than you’re certainty is comfortable with.) Sometimes that can be uncomfortable. Both the coming back and the initial going. You encounter things you didn’t know were there. You don’t always like what you see. You also discover things that make you more complete. Which is usually pretty cool.
Yes, it could go to your head and you could pass out before you reach the surface.
Or it could be fine.
You could be prepared for the ascent.
You could take your time and decompress.
You could learn to live in both worlds.
Which are actually two sides of the same world.
Just don’t stay down there too long.
