Which of the following scenarios increases the risk of descending too quickly?

Descending too quickly can significantly increase the risk of various diving-related injuries, particularly decompression sickness (DCS). Ascending without proper decompression stops means that as a diver returns to the surface, they are not allowing their body adequate time to off-gas excess nitrogen that has built up in their tissues during the dive. This can lead to the formation of nitrogen bubbles in the bloodstream, which can cause DCS and other serious health issues.

Proper decompression stops are crucial because they allow for a safe ascent, letting nitrogen gradually leave the body rather than causing a rapid pressure change that could result in an injury. The other scenarios, such as using a dive computer or monitoring air supply, are all focused on safety and risk management and do not inherently increase the risk of rapid descent. Regular breaks also enhance a diver’s safety by reducing fatigue and the risk of embolisms during multiple dives. Therefore, choosing to ascend without following decompression protocols directly correlates with an increased risk of diving-related accidents.