Flying After Diving

Excerpt

Exposure to reduced barometric pressure shortly after diving can increase a diver’s risk of decompression sickness (DCS). Before flying, a diver should remain at sea level long enough to allow the elimination of excess inert gas, mainly nitrogen, from peripheral tissues. If a diver flies too soon, the reduction of environmental pressure leads to dissolved nitrogen coming out of the solution, forming bubbles in tissues and the blood, and resulting in decompression illness. These bubbles interfere with the perfusion of the blood and cause ischemia and inflammation. Preflight surface intervals to prevent this vary and depend on the type of diving done before the flight.