Bends is a painful and dangerous condition caused by the formation of gas bubbles in the bloodstream and body tissues. It can occur when the air pressure surrounding the body decreases too rapidly. Bends is also called decompression sickness or caisson disease. It is most common among underwater divers and people who work in construction caissons (see Caisson). Such people may get bends if they return too quickly to the water surface or ground level. People in aircraft also may experience bends if pressurization in the cabin fails.