Return to Activity Periods

Question 1

When can a diver fly after diving?

1. Air diving
2. HeO2 diving
3. Sat diving

Answer 1

AIR diving – generally 24 hours (must use dive tables for more specific numbers using RGD)

HeO2 non sat dives: at least 12 hours for no–d dives, and 24 hours for D dives

Sat Dives: at least 72 hours

Question 2

How long must a tender wait before diving after treatment?

Answer 2

18 hours before non–decompression dives
24 hours before decompression dives
*Tables 4,7,8 minimum of 48 hours

Question 3

How long must a patient wait before diving again after recompression treatment for:

1. Any DCS or AGE
2. AGE and Type II DCS

Answer 3

1. Entry in medical record by UMO, PFO study and eval by cards
2. Brain/Spine MRI 1 week after symptom stabilization.
   – if NEG can dive in 30 days if waiver
   – if POS or symptoms persistent\n––––> f/u MRI at 30 days, neuro c/s, waiver

Question 4

When can tenders fly after treatment?

Answer 4

tables 5, 6,6A: 24 hours

tables 4,7,8: 72 hours

Question 5

When can patients fly after DCS/AGE treatment?

Answer 5

minimum 72 hours

Question 6

How long should a patient be observed after completing TT5?

Answer 6

2 hours at chamber facility

must remain within 1 hour of facility for 24 hours

Question 7

How long should a patient be observed after completing TT6 or greater?

Answer 7

6 hours at chamber facility

*can be changed by DMO – patient must be with personnel who can identify symptoms and return to facility within 30 mins

Question 8

When does most DCS present?

When does most AGE present?

Answer 8

DCS: Most within 24 hours of dive
AGE: typically within 10 minutes of ascent to surface, but nearly all within 50 minutes