Surface interval before flying ???

[highdesert]

Greetings all -

First off, I apologize, I know other threads have talked about this at length. I have my opinion, I've asked my former instructor/DM, but I'm curious how you folks will respond. The scenario ...

After a week of diving 3 tanks a day, air only, "vacation" depths (70'-80') ending with long safety stops, would you fly after 21 hours, or drop the last dive to fly after 25 hours? I think our computers will tell us we're good after about 19-20 hours, but then there's nothing wrong with being conservative.

I just sure hate to lose a dive!

 

[Steve50]

I would do the 21 hour wait and dive. I would also dive nitrox, if available, on the last day.

 

[hollywood703]

i think you have this backwards a bit, if you drop the last dive why would it take 4 hours longer to fly? I personally would keep the last dive and wait the 24 hours, if you have that option. Why cut yourself short a dive unless it inconveniences you to wait the few hours longer to fly. Also unless you have more definative plans, its hard to make a recommendation on an unknown dive configuration.

Greetings all -

First off, I apologize, I know other threads have talked about this at length. I have my opinion, I've asked my former instructor/DM, but I'm curious how you folks will respond. The scenario ...

After a week of diving 3 tanks a day, air only, "vacation" depths (70'-80') ending with long safety stops, would you fly after 21 hours, or drop the last dive to fly after 25 hours? I think our computers will tell us we're good after about 19-20 hours, but then there's nothing wrong with being conservative.

I just sure hate to lose a dive!

 

[spectrum]

Like all of these things it's all based on averages so look at your personal risk factors as well. If your 25 hour dive was magnificent I would just go out on a high note.

Pete

 

[highdesert]

The third dive usually exits the water at around 4:00 PM. Flight is scheduled for 1:00 PM next day. There's 21 hours SI. If we drop that last dive, we'll be done by 12:00 last diving day. There's 25 hours SI. No nitrox available. I've flown at 19 hours SI before after a 20-dive week; my inclination is to do the last dive and fly after 21 hours.

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

I can't make any recommendation for you, but were I in your situation, I personally would do the last dive and fly after 21 hours, especially if that last dive was nice and shallow, the way it probably will be, since it's the third dive...

 

[highdesert]

I can't make any recommendation for you, but were I in your situation, I personally would do the last dive and fly after 21 hours, especially if that last dive was nice and shallow, the way it probably will be, since it's the third dive...

Yeah, that's their usual day (been there before); last dive is usually something like "Meet me (DM) at 25', we'll drop over the wall to 70', back up gradually to 20', hang out there and look for critters."

 

[TSandM]

I don't even think someone with access to your profiles would be able to tell you for sure whether an additional four hours was going to be necessary or not. It's too individual, and too dependent on other factors, like ascent rates, body habitus/fitness, water temperature, hydration status . . . Decompression is NOT a science.

Like so many other things in diving, you have to decide your level of risk-tolerance and how likely the risk is, and make a decision.

I'm with the person who said that, if the next to the last dive is a fantastic one, I might sit out the last. (And that will be the one with the whale shark, always )

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

Hrmmm... 70' is not shallow... I agree with TSandM's answer: It's up to you, whatever level of risk you are willing to assume. Good luck.

 

[highdesert]

I don't even think someone with access to your profiles would be able to tell you for sure whether an additional four hours was going to be necessary or not. It's too individual, and too dependent on other factors, like ascent rates, body habitus/fitness, water temperature, hydration status . . . Decompression is NOT a science.

Like so many other things in diving, you have to decide your level of risk-tolerance and how likely the risk is, and make a decision.

I'm with the person who said that, if the next to the last dive is a fantastic one, I might sit out the last. (And that will be the one with the whale shark, always )

Decent fitness level (not animal), Honduran water in June, lazy, slow ascent diving.