What is the minimum recovery time after SCUBA diving before a flight?

The minimum recovery time after SCUBA diving before flying is 24 hours. This recommendation is based on the need to allow time for any nitrogen that may have been absorbed by the body during the dive to dissipate. When a diver ascends to the surface and decompresses, nitrogen can still be present in the body tissues and blood. If a flight is taken too soon after diving, especially at high altitudes, the reduced atmospheric pressure in the aircraft can increase the risk of decompression sickness, also known as "the bends."

The 24-hour rule is widely accepted by organizations such as the Divers Alert Network (DAN) and the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS), which emphasize that divers should ensure they have sufficient time for their bodies to eliminate excess nitrogen safely. This period allows the body to safely return to equilibrium and minimizes the risk of complications when exposed to lower pressures at flight altitude.

Other recovery time options are generally considered insufficient for most dives, especially deeper dives or multiple dives done in a day, where the nitrogen load can be higher, further justifying the necessity of the full 24-hour period as a safety measure.