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FLYING AFTER DIVING
In 1990 the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) published a set of guide-
lines aimed at minimizing the possibility of decompression sickness due to flying too soon
after diving.
The UHMS suggests* that divers using standard air cylinders and exhibiting no symptoms
of decompression sickness wait 24 hours after their last dive to fly in aircraft with cabin
pressures up to 8,000 feet. (2,440 meters).
The exceptions to this recommendation are:
• If a diver had less than 2 hours total accumulated dive time in the last 48 hours, then a
12 hour surface interval before flying is recommended.
• Following any dive that required a decompression stop, flying should be delayed for
at least 24 hours, and if possible, for 48 hours.
Since the 1990 UHMS guidelines were introduced, data from Diver’s Alert Network
(DAN) was introduced that resulted in DAN’s position** that “A minimum surface interval
of only 12 hours would be required in order to be reasonably assured a diver will remain
symptom free upon ascent to altitude in a commercial jet airliner (altitude up to 8,000
feet/2,440 meters).
Divers who plan to make daily, multiple dives for several days, or make dives that require
decompression stops, should take special precautions and wait for an extended surface
interval beyond 12 hours before flight".
(continued on page 27)
* Excerpted from “The UHMS Flying after Diving Workshop”.
** Excerpted from “Dan's Position on Recreational Flying after Diving”.
