Can I Dive following DECOMPRESSION ILLNESS (DCI)?

Have you experienced a DCI or been assessed for a DCI? Can you dive again?

DCI and Diving? Unfortunately, this is not a simple question to answer.

It all depends on the events that caused you to develop Decompression Illness (DCI), whether you suffered any lung barotrauma at the time and what level of recovery you achieved after recompression therapy.

With any DCI we would recommend at least a month cessation from diving.

In the case of a neurological DCI this would normally increase to three months, in order to allow sufficient recovery time. Prior to returning to diving you will no longer be able to self-certify your medical form and will need to be reviewed by a diving doctor.

At DDRC Healthcare we offer a complimentary “Bend Review” at an appropriate time point after treatment, prior to final discharge.

It is worth noting that if you undergo recompression therapy for missed decompression but without developing symptoms, we would normally recommend between 24-48 hours before getting back in the water.

If you attend DDRC Healthcare and are found to have a non-diving related cause for your symptoms, then this diagnosis will govern how long you need to stay out of the water for.

Emergency