Decompression sickness as a threat to divers

Decompression sickness (DCS), also known as divers` disease, the bends or caisson disease, is the biggest threat of diving, including saturation diving. DCS is a condition caused by gas bubbles appearing in the organism resulting from desaturation of bodily fluids and tissues, provoked by prolonged high-pressure exposure. Statistics show that decompression sickness develops during 36 hours after diving, and in 50% of cases during the first 30 minutes. It may cause death and can be prevented by slow transition to normal pressure.