DAN Medical Research
Flying After Treatment : Results

Surveys were sent to approximately 200 chambers in October of 2003 and the diver survey was posted on the DAN website in November 2003.

Chamber Survey Results

Of 200 chambers, 17 replied with the following information:

• 12 of 229 non-flying SCI cases had relapse (4%)
• 3 relapsed during or after flight with post-treatment surface intervals of 14 hours to 10 days

Diver Survey Results

310 divers responded with the following information:

• 200 cases did not fly
• 30 were determined not to be DCI
• 79 flew after recompression treatment
• 39% of the 200 who did not fly had a relapse (4%)
• 30% of the 79 who did fly relapsed (10%)

No significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of relapse rate.

Estimated relapse rates after recompression:

• 4% with no flight
• 10% for asymptomatic flight
• 71% for flying with symptoms and still 45% after waiting for 72 hours

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

Project Supporters »