Flying after diving: DAN article

[Compressor]

I found this article VERY useful so decided to post for fellow SB friends.
Hope you enjoy it as well. It's well done.

Updated: Here is the link.

 

[dberry]

The PDF I downloaded from your link was four pages describing the experiments, but not the results. Is there more? Also, was that a recent study?

 

[Compressor]

My apologies. I downloaded the file directly from DAN but it downloads only the first 4 pages while online it shows all the pages.
In any event here is the link.

 

[boulderjohn]

What I didn't like about the study is that they tested the DAN Europe recommendation of a 24 hour waiting period before flying, and they found that after 24 hours, divers were plenty good to fly. I wish they had also tested them with the DAN USA recommendation of 18 hours. We have no way of knowing from this test if they were already good to go after 18 hours. Or 12 hours.

 

[dberry]

Exactly my thoughts... 24 hours is fine, but no attempts to examine shorter intervals, such as the 18 hours currently recommended or even less.

 

[Compressor]

Valid criticism but I do think the research into this issue is still inconclusive and therefore ongoing. For this reason, I did not like the title.

 

[blac86]

What I didn't like about the study is that they tested the DAN Europe recommendation of a 24 hour waiting period before flying, and they found that after 24 hours, divers were plenty good to fly. I wish they had also tested them with the DAN USA recommendation of 18 hours. We have no way of knowing from this test if they were already good to go after 18 hours. Or 12 hours.

Dan did a test of 18 hour fly times (and shorter) rather recently. I'll link it if I can find it.

 

[arew+4]

Would like to see some more information on the bubble formation groups, are there commonalities, BMI, %body fat, bone density, blood count, lipid levels etc. They should set up a study at a few popular destinations and recruit volunteers.

 

[maj2]

Interesting article.

I once was offered the opportunity to go diving that involved flying within an hour or so of the dives. I immediately had a bit of a panic attack at the concept.

The trip involved flying from a safari camp where we were staying in South Africa to do a couple of dives at Sodwana Bay, and then fling back after the dives were done. The tour operator's response was only that "we do this all the time! There is not a problem!" That led to a ton of additional research and a call to DAN.

It was only then that I finally clued in that the flying after diving rules related to commercial flights and not bush planes flying at low altitude. I did fly after my dive, and it was a very interesting experience!

First, the pilot was also a diver, and I got perhaps the greatest pre-flight briefing ever. I would be sitting in the co-pilot seat for the half hour flight. The pilot knew I had been diving, so would be flying at around 750ft instead of the 1000ft altitude at which we had flown to Sodwana Bay. If I felt anything related to DCS, I was to advise the pilot, and he would drop altitude to 500ft or lower. I never had an issue, and we kept the 750ft flight plan and I got a great view of the landscape on the way back!

Sorry for the hijack of the thread. Flying after diving is always a topic that gets my attention after this experience. For a commercial flight after diving, I still leave 24 hours.

 

[boulderjohn]

It was only then that I finally clued in that the flying after diving rules related to commercial flights and not bush planes flying at low altitude.

The general rule is that 2,000 feet ascent is OK. Divers similarly fly from Saba to Ste. Maarten after a day of diving every day.