Flying 20 Hrs After Shallow Dive (15') Is that safe?

[Skinsfan1311]

Good Afternoon,
I'll be diving in Grand Cayman later this summer. I just booked my dives, as the Dive-op only goes in small groups and I wanted to ensure a spot on the dive boat. Due to the dates that we'll be travelling, I'll have only one opportunity to dive Stingray City. (I'm told it's a "can't miss" dive!)

It's shallow, (avg depth ~15'), and I believe that the dive is an hour long. I should be out of the water by 3:30 pm and my flight home is the next day at 1:35 pm. Do you think that's pushing it? When I booked the dive, the person I spoke to,(at a highly regarded dive-op that I contacted based on many recommendations from SB members), said that shouldn't be a problem as it's a shallow dive.

I personally think it would be o.k., however, I'd appreciate a "warm fuzzy" from my fellow SB members, and Ive always gotten great info from the board. I would appreciate your thoughts. Don't be shy...I've got a thick skin...if you think it's a stupid idea...tell me! (it wouldn't be the first time!) Thanks!

 

[H2Andy]

DAN recommends 18 hours after multiple dives or multiple days of no-deco diving

you're golden at 20

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/faq/faq.asp?faqid=54

if you can take a diving break towards the middle of your vacation (either
no dives or half the dives), that will help too

also, the most important thing you can do is keep really well hydrated.
drink tons of water while you're there. force yourself to drink =)

 

[Skinsfan1311]

DAN recommends 18 hours after multiple dives or multiple days of no-deco diving

you're golden at 20

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/faq/faq.asp?faqid=54

if you can take a diving break towards the middle of your vacation (either
no dives or half the dives), that will help too

also, the most important thing you can do is keep really well hydrated.
drink tons of water while you're there. force yourself to drink =)

Great! Thanks! I need to work on my math:huh: ....it'll around 22 hrs before flying. I take all the steps I can to be safe, including staying in shape and drinking tons of water!

I'm travelling with non-diving family members, and our schedule, precludes the breaks in diving. (Which is one of the reasons for the post....I can always bail on one of 'em if I'm not comfortable with it, or if it's deemed "unsafe" by those more knowledgeable than me) I actually thought of that when I before I booked the dives. So I've only scheduled three 2-tanks. The last two dives, before Stingray City, are in the morning......thanks, again!

 

[Codyjp]

what altitude should a diver stay below for that 12, 18 or 24 hour wait? I ask since i would love to fly to catalina, dive for the day and fly hope at a reasonably low alititude. Any sugestions? DAN doesn't offer to much info on this subject.

 

[pickens_46929]

It's nice and shallow... 18+ hours out of the water... I wouldn't think there would by any problem.

 

[H2Andy]

what altitude should a diver stay below for that 12, 18 or 24 hour wait? I ask since i would love to fly to catalina, dive for the day and fly hope at a reasonably low alititude. Any sugestions? DAN doesn't offer to much info on this subject.

"After scuba diving, DCS onset may occur at altitudes of 5,000 feet or less."


http://www.brooks.af.mil/af/files/fsguide/HTML/Chapter_03.html


look at the heading "FACTORS AFFECTING DCS INCIDENCE AND SEVERITY"

keep in mind airlines pressurize their planes to 8,000 feet. also, keep in mind
that the rate of ascent to altitude is also important (slower the better).

would i fly a single-engine plane to 2,500 to 3,000 feet after diving once? i'd probably wait a minimum of 6 hours (half the 12-hour single-dive limit to 8,000 feet).

this is not scientific, just some speculation. i'd start at 6 hours, and cut back
one hour at time until i hit 4 hours. i don't think i'd push it past that.

 

[RumBum]

what altitude should a diver stay below for that 12, 18 or 24 hour wait? I ask since i would love to fly to catalina, dive for the day and fly hope at a reasonably low alititude. Any sugestions? DAN doesn't offer to much info on this subject.

DAN's recommendations on flying after diving are based on 8,000 ft cabin pressure. I don't know in an unpressurized plane if there have been any studies done; if there have I would be interested to know about them.

 

[pickens_46929]

They are working on the DAN study right now for "flying after diving"... http://hyperbaric.mc.duke.edu/research/fad.htm

Here's an older study (2000)... http://faculty.washington.edu/ekay/altitude.html

ScubaDoc also has some info... http://www.scuba-doc.com/flyngaft.htm

 

[Codyjp]

cool, lost of good stuff there. i guess it would also be common where people have a high altitude drive after a dive.

 

[skynscuba]

what altitude should a diver stay below for that 12, 18 or 24 hour wait? I ask since i would love to fly to catalina, dive for the day and fly hope at a reasonably low alititude. Any sugestions? DAN doesn't offer to much info on this subject.

http://www.ndc.noaa.gov/pdfs/AscentToAltitudeTable.pdf


The exposure levels are those from the NOAA charts.