Flying after diving: in-flight echocardiography after a scuba diving week

Area of Science:

• Aviation Medicine
• Diving Physiology
• Cardiovascular Physiology

Background:

• Flying after scuba diving poses a risk of decompression sickness (DCS).
• Optimal preflight surface intervals (PFSI) to mitigate this risk remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate bubble formation in divers during in-flight conditions following a standard 24-hour PFSI.
• To identify potential individual susceptibility to DCS after diving.

Main Methods:

• 32 divers were monitored using in-flight echocardiography during outgoing and return flights after a week of diving.
• Echocardiography assessments were conducted pre-dive, during the diving week, and after a 24-hour PFSI before the return flight.

Main Results:

• No bubbles were detected during the outgoing flight or after the 24-hour PFSI.
• A significant increase in bubbles was observed during the return flight, but only in 6 out of 32 divers.
• These 6 divers consistently developed bubbles after every dive, indicating higher susceptibility.

Conclusions:

• A 24-hour PFSI is sufficient for most divers to avoid in-flight bubble formation.
• Certain individuals exhibit increased susceptibility to bubble formation and may require extended PFSI.
• Further research is needed to establish individualized PFSI recommendations for divers.