DAN Medical Research
DAN Flying After Diving : Results

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The study was conducted from 1993 to 1999 for 802 exposures. There were 40 DCS (decompression sickness) incidents (5%), of which 21 were moderate DCS, 18 mild DCS, and 1 serious DCS.

Data were presented at a Flying After Diving Workshop at DAN in May 2002 and the following guidelines were the consensus. They apply to air dives followed by flights at cabin altitudes of 2,000 to 8,000 feet (610 to 2,438 meters) for divers who do not have symptoms of decompression sickness (DCS). The recommended preflight surface intervals do not guarantee avoidance of DCS. Longer surface intervals will reduce DCS risk further. For a single no-decompression dive, a minimum preflight surface interval of 12 hours is suggested. For dives requiring decompression stops, there is little evidence on which to base a recommendation and a preflight surface interval substantially longer than 18 hours appears prudent.

A second flying after diving study began in 2002 with support from the U.S. Navy. The study is investigating additional dive profiles and oxygen breathing in the surface intervals as a possible method for making the surface intervals shorter.

View the Flying After Diving Workshop Proceedings (DAN Members Only)

For a list of publications related to this study, click here.

For a list of publications related to the use of Doppler in our research, click here.

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