Safely plan your last day of diving. Calculate the mandatory surface interval required before your flight home based on industry-standard DAN guidelines.
According to DAN guidelines, wait a minimum of 12 hours after a single no-decompression dive before flying.
If you have performed more than one dive in a single day, or dived over several consecutive days, wait a minimum of 18 hours before flying.
For dives requiring mandatory decompression stops, wait at least 24 hours before flying.
Diving causes nitrogen to accumulate in your tissues. Aircraft cabins are pressurized to 6,000–8,000 feet, which can cause nitrogen to form bubbles in your bloodstream, leading to Decompression Sickness (DCS).
Generally yes. “Fly-then-dive” is not a DCS risk since you have no residual nitrogen while in the air.
Yes, any significant altitude increase (above 300m/1000ft) poses the same DCS risk as flying.
Seek immediate medical attention. Contact emergency services or DAN. Early hyperbaric treatment is critical.