Scientists believe a pill could be developed to prevent divers getting the bends. Combining exercise prior to diving with a pill releasing nitric oxide (NO) would allow longer or deeper dives. New Scientist magazine reports the Norwegian researchers are confident the drug would reduce the number of harmful bubbles that form in the blood. However, sub-aqua experts warned the side-effects of any drug would have to be carefully examined. The research team at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim previously carried out tests on rats, which found intense exercise around 20 hours before a simulated dive in a pressure chamber significantly reduced nitrogen bubble formation.
