Which statement best describes omitted decompression?

• A. Omitted decompression means diving without any planned decompression stop and surfacing immediately.
• B. Omitted decompression means begin surface decompression as soon as possible.
• C. If asymptomatic, observe on surface for 1 hour; if symptoms develop, recompress.
• D. Omitted decompression has no defined procedure.

Answer: (C)

When a planned decompression stop is missed, the priority is to watch for decompression sickness symptoms and treat only if they appear. If the diver surfaces and has no symptoms, the recommended action is to stay on the surface and observe for about an hour. If symptoms do develop, recompression with hyperbaric treatment is indicated to reduce bubble size and promote off-gassing. Surfacing immediately with no decompression plan would ignore the possibility of residual inert gas, and initiating some form of surface “decompression” isn’t a defined or safe protocol. There is a defined procedure: monitor for symptoms on the surface after an omitted stop, and recompress if symptoms arise.