symptoms of the bends
Untreated bends cause damage! Failure to treat promptly and appropriately may lead to permanent impairment. Even a so called mild symptom, such as a skin rash or joint pain, could be indicating that your body has not adequately decompressed. More serious symptoms may well follow. Immediate recompression is essential and will remove the excess gas load and promote the healing of damaged tissue.
Joint pain (the bends) accounts for about 60% to 70% of all altitude DCS cases, with the shoulder being the most common site. Neurological symptoms are present in 10% to 15% of DCS cases with headache and visual disturbances being the most common symptom. Skin manifestations are present in about 10% to 15% of cases.