Which condition can result from inadequate ascent procedures during diving?

Decompression sickness is a condition that can occur when divers ascend too quickly after spending time at significant depths. During a dive, the body absorbs nitrogen from the air we breathe, and at higher pressures, this absorption increases. If a diver ascends without allowing sufficient time for the nitrogen to safely exhale from the body—usually by making a gradual ascent and performing safety stops—nitrogen can come out of solution too quickly as the pressure decreases. This rapid decompression can lead to the formation of bubbles in the tissues and bloodstream, which can cause a variety of symptoms, including joint pain, dizziness, and even serious complications affecting the nervous system.

In contrast, ear barotrauma occurs due to pressure imbalance and is primarily a concern while descending or ascending but is not directly related to inadequate ascent procedures over the course of the dive. Shallow water blackout is a risk typically associated with hypoxia from breath-holding or deep diving, not specifically from the ascent phase. Marine life injuries are an outcome of encounters with aquatic creatures and are unrelated to ascent procedures altogether.