What is a potential outcome of flying immediately after diving?

Flying immediately after diving can potentially lead to decompression sickness, also known as "the bends." This condition occurs when a diver ascends too quickly after being at depths where pressure is significantly greater than at the surface. During the dive, nitrogen, which is absorbed by the body’s tissues, can come out of solution and form bubbles when pressure decreases rapidly, such as when ascending to altitude in a flight.

When a diver flies soon after diving, the rapid reduction in atmospheric pressure can exacerbate this release of nitrogen, resulting in bubbles forming in the bloodstream and various tissues. These bubbles can cause serious symptoms, including joint pain, fatigue, and in severe cases, can affect vital organs, leading to paralysis or even death.

Safety guidelines typically recommend that divers wait a specific amount of time—often between 12 to 24 hours—before flying to allow the body to eliminate excess nitrogen and significantly reduce the risk of decompression sickness. Understanding this connection between diving and flying is crucial for preventing potentially life-threatening complications related to differential pressure.