When visiting Hawaii, the Virgin Islands, and other locales which tend to be served by inter-island flights, it is vital that you pay close attention to flight altitudes, dive depths, and other factors to ensure you do not suffer from decompression sickness. Not only can DCS ruin your vacation, it can put a sudden stop to your ability to enjoy diving – in extreme cases, the body becomes unable to handle pressure changes due to injuries caused by decompression sickness. Here, we’ll provide some pointers for making the most of your vacation while ensuring you remain healthy.
Flying after Diving
If cabin altitudes will be less than 2,000 feet, you may be able to fly shortly after diving. If you’ll be taking a helicopter or other small aircraft that flies at low altitudes, and if flight times are very short (usually less than 20 minutes) you may be able to fly within just a few hours after diving. The type of air you breathe while diving can make a difference, and so can the depths you dive to. It is vital that you verify altitudes before taking an inter-island flight, and equally important that you make your own calculations to determine whether it is safe to fly after diving.
In general, if you have taken a single no-deco dive, you should wait 12 hours before flying. If you have been diving for multiple days, or if you have been diving more than once per day, you should wait 18 hours before flying. If your dives require decompression stops, then it is prudent to wait even longer, depending on individual dive profiles.
Diving after Flying
Most divers take to the water fairly shortly after arrival at a destination and that is generally seen as acceptable. If you stick to easy, shallow dives with no decompression stops, and if you are careful to maintain hydration levels, you can usually dive after flying with no problems. If you have consumed alcohol or purposely limited fluid intake during a flight, it’s a good idea to ensure you are completely sober and well-hydrated before considering diving. When you take inter-island flights, you are not normally subject to the level of dehydration that can occur on longer flights.
General guidelines call for a 24-hour waiting period between flying and diving, particularly if you cross time zones and enter different climates; however, if you don’t need to rehydrate, rest, or make any other adjustments, you may find that diving is safe and comfortable shortly after arrival.
Remember to conduct your own calculations, taking altitudes and flight times into account, and to err on the side of caution, rather than taking any risks. Be sure to ask dive professionals for help if you need it, and always remember that it’s much better to play it safe than to end up taking a trip to the recompression chamber. The time you spend waiting to dive or fly can be used for visiting topside attractions, lounging on the beach, or catching up on your reading. Taking a conservative approach can help you to stay healthy, prevent decompression sickness, and enjoy your vacation thoroughly.