A Decompression party reffers to a period of time spent by deep sea divers either in decompression chambers or at various depths on their way to the surface to gradually adjust to surface pressure in order to avoid the bends.

By analogy, it is a small local reunion for Burning Man participants to help ease themselves back into everyday society after the event (they are also known as Decompression). These parties frequently remind old-timers of early Burning Man festivals thanks to their size and informality.