How should a pilot manage scuba diving before flying?

How should a pilot manage scuba diving before flying?

• A. Wait 6 hours if below 8,000 ft
• B. Wait 12 hours if below 8,000 ft without control stop
• C. Wait 24 hours regardless of altitude
• D. There is no wait requirement after diving

Answer: (B)

The correct management following scuba diving before flying is to wait 12 hours if diving occurs below 8,000 feet and without a control stop. This recommendation is important to minimize the risk of decompression sickness during flight. When a diver ascends to the surface, nitrogen is released from the body, and this nitrogen can form bubbles if a person ascends too quickly or flies too soon after diving. Allowing a 12-hour interval is based on guidelines set by various aviation and diving organizations, which account for the time required for nitrogen to safely exit the body in order to reduce the chances of decompression sickness. In this context, waiting 6 hours would not account for possible dive profiles that require longer surface intervals after more complex or deeper dives. Additionally, a blanket waiting period of 24 hours is more conservative than necessary for typical recreational dives that are well-managed. Lastly, stating that there is no wait requirement after diving overlooks the risks associated with flying too soon after scuba activities. Thus, adhering to the 12-hour waiting period strikes a balance between safety and practicality for divers planning to fly.

The correct management following scuba diving before flying is to wait 12 hours if diving occurs below 8,000 feet and without a control stop. This recommendation is important to minimize the risk of decompression sickness during flight. When a diver ascends to the surface, nitrogen is released from the body, and this nitrogen can form bubbles if a person ascends too quickly or flies too soon after diving.

Allowing a 12-hour interval is based on guidelines set by various aviation and diving organizations, which account for the time required for nitrogen to safely exit the body in order to reduce the chances of decompression sickness.

In this context, waiting 6 hours would not account for possible dive profiles that require longer surface intervals after more complex or deeper dives. Additionally, a blanket waiting period of 24 hours is more conservative than necessary for typical recreational dives that are well-managed. Lastly, stating that there is no wait requirement after diving overlooks the risks associated with flying too soon after scuba activities.

Thus, adhering to the 12-hour waiting period strikes a balance between safety and practicality for divers planning to fly.