SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/trav-dive-fly

How long should you wait to fly after a single no-decompression dive?

Wait 12 hours.

Start playing free

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

Why: Flying too soon can cause decompression sickness. CDC says 12 hours after a single no-decompression dive. It is 18 hours after repetitive dives and 24 to 48 hours after dives needing stops.

Huh, didn't know that: Decompression sickness is nicknamed "the bends."

The dad joke
Why did the diver blush? He saw the ocean's bottom.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: 12 hours. Flying too soon can cause decompression sickness. CDC says 12 hours after a single no-decompression dive. It is 18 hours after repetitive dives and 24 to 48 hours after dives needing stops.

  1. CDC Travelers' Health: Safe Swimming and Diving wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/safe-swimming-diving
    12 hours after surfacing from a single no-decompression dive
    Checked 2026-10-10.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

TravelYou can renew a US passport by mail if your last one was issued within how many years?TravelCan a child under 16 renew a US passport by mail?TravelHow long is a US passport valid if it was issued before the holder turned 16?

That's stuff everyone should know.