How long should a diver wait before flying after a dive with no controlled ascent to 8000 ft cabin altitude?

How long should a diver wait before flying after a dive with no controlled ascent to 8000 ft cabin altitude?

• A. 6 hours
• B. 24 hours
• C. 12 hours
• D. 48 hours

Answer: (C)

Flying after a dive hinges on allowing time for the nitrogen absorbed in your tissues to off‑gas before there’s a pressure change in flight. When an aircraft climbs to cabin pressure equivalent to about 8000 ft, the ambient pressure is lower, which can cause dissolved nitrogen to come out of solution and form bubbles if you haven’t off-gassed enough. For a single no‑decompression dive, the minimum safe waiting time before flying is 12 hours. If you had multiple dives or a dive that required decompression stops, the wait increases to 24 hours. Waiting 6 hours is too short, and 24 hours or 48 hours would be longer than necessary for a single no‑decompression dive.

Flying after a dive hinges on allowing time for the nitrogen absorbed in your tissues to off‑gas before there’s a pressure change in flight. When an aircraft climbs to cabin pressure equivalent to about 8000 ft, the ambient pressure is lower, which can cause dissolved nitrogen to come out of solution and form bubbles if you haven’t off-gassed enough. For a single no‑decompression dive, the minimum safe waiting time before flying is 12 hours. If you had multiple dives or a dive that required decompression stops, the wait increases to 24 hours. Waiting 6 hours is too short, and 24 hours or 48 hours would be longer than necessary for a single no‑decompression dive.