If a scuba dive above 8000 ft is completed, what is the minimum wait time before flying?

When a scuba dive occurs at altitudes above 8000 feet, the recommended minimum wait time before flying is indeed 24 hours. This guideline is based on physiological considerations related to nitrogen absorption and off-gassing, which can become particularly significant after diving, especially at higher altitudes.

During a dive, nitrogen is absorbed into the body’s tissues, and upon ascending, particularly to high altitudes, this nitrogen can form bubbles if a person ascends too quickly or flies too soon after diving. Waiting for 24 hours allows for safer off-gassing of nitrogen, significantly reducing the risk of decompression sickness (DCS) or “the bends.”

Flying too soon after a dive significantly increases the chances of experiencing adverse effects due to decompressed nitrogen in the bloodstream. Thus, the 24-hour restriction provides a safety margin ensuring that a diver has allowed sufficient time for nitrogen levels in the body to normalize before exposing themselves to the lower atmospheric pressures associated with flight.