Which is the minimum waiting time after a dive with no controlled ascent before flying to cabin altitude of 8000 feet or less?

Which is the minimum waiting time after a dive with no controlled ascent before flying to cabin altitude of 8000 feet or less?

• A. 6 hours
• B. 2 hours
• C. 24 hours
• D. 12 hours

Answer: (D)

After diving, dissolved nitrogen in the body's tissues needs time to off-gas. Flying to cabin altitude (8000 feet or less) lowers ambient pressure, which can cause any remaining dissolved nitrogen to come out of solution and form bubbles if you haven’t off-gassed enough. For a single dive with no decompression stops and no symptoms, the minimum waiting time before flying is 12 hours to reduce the risk of decompression sickness. Shorter times (like 6 or 2 hours) aren’t enough for off-gassing, while 24 hours is more conservative and typically used for dives with decompression stops or multiple dives within a short period.

After diving, dissolved nitrogen in the body's tissues needs time to off-gas. Flying to cabin altitude (8000 feet or less) lowers ambient pressure, which can cause any remaining dissolved nitrogen to come out of solution and form bubbles if you haven’t off-gassed enough. For a single dive with no decompression stops and no symptoms, the minimum waiting time before flying is 12 hours to reduce the risk of decompression sickness. Shorter times (like 6 or 2 hours) aren’t enough for off-gassing, while 24 hours is more conservative and typically used for dives with decompression stops or multiple dives within a short period.