Alejandro “Willy” Ramos Martínez suffers from a condition known as decompression sickness, also called “chamber sickness,” which occurs when a person experiences a sudden drop in ambient pressure. This type of illness is common among divers who perform deep dives and do not follow proper decompression protocols.

In 2013, Willy was diving to a depth of over 30 meters off the coast of Pisco, Peru, in search of seafood, when a passing boat ruptured his oxygen hose, forcing him to surface quickly. The sudden rise caused nitrogen bubbles to form in his chest and arms, resulting in a medical problem that left his torso and arms.

We first wrote about Willy’s unusual case in 2017, and his story went viral. Back then, doctors could only help him by administering oxygen in a pressurised chamber to eliminate the nitrogen bubbles. At the time, they had managed to eliminate about 30% of the enormous nitrogen bubbles in his body and were optimistic that, in time, he would recover, but eight years later, the Peruvian man is still looking for a cure.

Martinez’s case is considered unique in the world, because decompression sickness usually has completely different symptoms. It can cause pain, bone and joint damage, and even affect the nervous system. IN rare cases, it can cause paralysis or death, but no one has ever suffered the deformities that Willy has had to deal with. His biceps have grown to a circumference of approximately 62 cm and 72 cm, respectively.

Because the nitrogen bubbles have adhered to his muscles and organs, surgery is not a viable solution, so he has to walk around like an inflatable balloon and hope that someone can come up with a safer option.

“I was saved by a miracle. I thank God that, well, I’m deformed, but I’m alive,” Willy told the BBC in an interview, adding that there was a time when he fell into a depression and couldn’t stand people looking at him with pity, but he was able to get over that period of his life.

“I want to go back to diving if possible. I miss diving. Aside from my job, I loved it; it was my hobby,” the Peruvian man added. “Maybe that’s why I went too deep. I wasn’t afraid; for me, it was like an adventure, but unfortunately, the sea must be respected.”