Scuba Diving and Flying: How long between the two in the following circumstance?

Question

Wednesday I fly at 8:00am, on a 3 leg trip, to Albany Ny.

I dived Monday two dives, the first avg.'d 25 feet for 49 min

The second dive, was only 17 min, went to 60 feet and 5 of those 17 min were decompression

I want to dive tomorrow(tuesday), and I want to ideally do two-three dives. I want to finish by two PM. I want to at least have two dives to about 60 ft. depth, maybe another at less than 30 ft.

Is the 18 hours between not enough before flying?

I'm a 22 year old male, in good shape.

Since it's health related, not necessarily a reference but the confidence of your answer would be appriciated.

Can I trust the dive computers answer? It shows me good to go after todays dives, so if it says i'm good after tomorrows, how much do I need to worry about the impact of the previous days resolved dives?

Answer 1

Jeez is 6 hours in a deco chamber worth trying to trick your body ? I mean really? I have been diving for years and did something that wouldn't even get you bent on a regular day and got bent because i didn't get enough sleep. 6 hours with a IV pumping saline in you with a respiratory therapist watching you while you are being brought down 3 times with out a bathroom or being able to cross your feet while lying down is not worth just taking the last day off and relaxing by the ocean and just snorkeling or taking in the tiki bar. DECO SUX!!!!! Take it from me! PS. make sure u have DAN. DECO cost big bucks$$$$$ Chill out dude, have fun, you don't have to dive every day, just chill. trust your tables and computer together, go with the one that says lay back and chill. have a boat drink.By the way I was deco'ed in one of the biggest chambers in the country (Gainesville FL) and it was horrible!. I left with swollen fingers and diarrhea from the IV and no sleep at all (went in at midnight and wasn't home till 7 am) that's a good deco. most deco chambers are like coffins! dude- do what  you like but prepare for the consequences. Dont try to sue anyone if you do get hurt cuz you are making up your own mind. Take responsiblity for yourself.

Answer 2

I am not a medical professional. So anything I say is my opinion only.

Ideally, you want to allow at least 24 hours.  I couldn't lay hands on my dive tables but you should recalculate manually for tomorrow, using estimates as a guide.  

Personally, I would not try to tackle 3 dives (2 to 60 feet) the day before you take off.

Make sure you are rested, hydrated, and feeling well.

Answer 3

Just to add to what Ravenlocks said...

It's never worth risking it!

Remember what your computer manual says "This is only a guide and does not replace dive planning using appropriate tables"

18 hours would be an absolute minimum, but remember that with consecutive days of diving you will have residual nitrogen as off-gassing will not be complete.

So put your feet up and chill out - the water will be there another day - make sure you are