RESUMO
The authors discuss the causes leading to the rise of acute decompression illness in the amateur skin-divers. They include the insufficient training of most skin-drivers in the basis of diving physiology and medicine, the underwater dipping without consideration of individual sensitivity to decompression illness and nitrogen narcotic action, disorders in decompression regimens, non-observance of behavior rules after dipping, use of air transport immediately after dipping. The case of delayed treatment of decompression illness is described. The data concerning the possibility of chronic decompression illness formation due to the action of asymptomatic decompression gasformation and acute decompression illness of mild degree are presented. The authors propose the system of measures that would help to decrease the incidence of disease and to make the treatment of decompression illness more effective.