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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pilot-scuba-wait-12-hours

After a dive with no decompression stops, how long should you wait before flying up to 8,000 feet?

At least 12 hours; wait 24 hours before flying above 8,000 feet.

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  1. At least 1 hour
  2. At least 12 hours ✔
  3. At least 72 hours

Why: Diving soaks extra nitrogen into your body. Flying too soon lowers the pressure, and that nitrogen can bubble out as decompression sickness. The AIM recommends at least 12 hours before flying up to 8,000 feet.

Huh, didn't know that: After a dive that needed decompression stops, or before any flight above 8,000 feet, the wait is at least 24 hours.

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Why did the scuba diver skip the flight? He did not want to get the bends and the turns.
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References

Answer: At least 12 hours. Diving soaks extra nitrogen into your body. Flying too soon lowers the pressure, and that nitrogen can bubble out as decompression sickness. The AIM recommends at least 12 hours before flying up to 8,000 feet.

  1. AIM Chapter 8 Section 1, Fitness for Flight www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/chap8_section_1.html
    The recommended wait time before going to flight altitudes up to 8,000 feet is at least 12 hours after diving
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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