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Flying after diving: how long should you wait?


Ever wondered why you cannot fly straight after diving? Or maybe you've arrived at a dive destination and questioned if you should hit the water right away? The relationship between flying and diving is more important than many divers realize – and it's all about what's happening inside your body. Let's break down the science (in plain English, I promise!) and give you some practical guidelines.




The science behind the waiting game

When we dive, our bodies absorb nitrogen that dissolves into our tissues under pressure. During a proper ascent, most of this nitrogen gradually leaves our body as we off-gas. But here's the kicker – some nitrogen can remain in our tissues for hours after diving, even if we've followed all the safety stops and ascent rates perfectly.


When you fly after diving, you're exposing your already nitrogen-rich body to even lower ambient pressure in the aircraft cabin. Think of it like opening a soda bottle that's been shaken – the dissolved gas can form bubbles as pressure decreases. In your body, those potential nitrogen bubbles can lead to decompression sickness (DCS), even if you had no symptoms on the surface.



Flying after diving: the waiting periods

So how long should you wait? The general guidelines are:

  • 12 hours after a single no-decompression dive

  • 18 hours after multiple dives in a day or multiple days of diving

  • At least 24-48 hours after any dive requiring decompression stops

These times aren't arbitrary – they're based on how long it takes your body to eliminate enough excess nitrogen to make flying reasonably safe.

But remember, these are minimum recommendations. Many dive professionals (myself included!) typically recommend a 24-hour surface interval before flying after any recreational diving to be on the safe side.



Recommendation for flying after diving
from DAN.org

Diving after flying: why the other direction matters too

The flip side gets less attention, but it's equally important. When you fly, your body experiences several physiological changes:

  1. Dehydration – The dry air in aircraft cabins can significantly dehydrate you, which affects blood circulation and your body's ability to manage gas exchange.

  2. Fatigue and jet lag – Crossing time zones disrupts your body's normal rhythm, potentially affecting judgment and alertness underwater.

  3. Ear and sinus problems – The pressure changes during flight can irritate your ear passages and sinuses, making equalization more difficult on your first dive.

For these reasons, the general recommendation is to wait 12-24 hours after a long flight before diving. The longer the flight, the longer you should wait before taking the plunge.



Real-world tips for dive travelers

As someone who's both experienced and witnessed the effects of rushing these intervals, here are my practical tips:

  1. Plan your itinerary smartly – Build buffer days into your trip. Arrive a day early to adjust and depart a day after your last dive.

  2. Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of water before, during, and after flights and diving. This helps your body process and eliminate nitrogen more efficiently.

  3. Watch your depth profiles – On the last day of diving before flying, consider doing shallower dives to minimize nitrogen loading.

  4. Use your dive computer – Many modern dive computers now provide flying-after-diving recommendations based on your specific dive profile.

  5. Listen to your body – If you're feeling tired, dehydrated, or unwell after a flight, postpone diving until you're feeling 100%.


When to be extra cautious

Some situations call for even more conservative approaches:

  • If you've been diving at altitude

  • If you've been doing technical or decompression diving

  • If you have any PFO (Patent Foramen Ovale) or heart conditions

  • If you're older or less physically fit than average

  • If you've experienced DCS in the past

In these cases, consider extending your pre-flight surface interval beyond the standard recommendations.



The bottom line

Yes, these waiting periods can seem inconvenient when you're eager to dive or anxious to get home. But remember – no dive and no flight schedule is worth risking your health. DCS can have serious and sometimes long-lasting effects.


After all, the best dive stories are told by those who've played it safe enough to come back for more adventures! Stay safe, plan smart, and happy bubbles! 🤿


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