What duration is typically recommended for a surface interval after using treatment table 6?

The recommended duration for a surface interval after using treatment table 6 is 48 hours. This specific recommendation ensures that divers have a sufficient amount of time to allow their bodies to eliminate excess inert gases absorbed during the dive.

Treatment tables are systematically designed protocols for hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which are instructed to address the management of decompression illness or other diving-related injuries. Following treatment, particularly with table 6, which involves multiple stages and extended exposure to elevated pressures, maintaining an adequate surface interval is crucial. This duration helps minimize the risk of further decompression sickness or additional complications that can arise from residual nitrogen bubbles in the body.

On the contrary, shorter surface intervals such as 12, 24, or 36 hours do not provide enough time for the body's tissues to safely return to baseline levels of inert gas and can increase the risk of complications related to decompression sickness. Therefore, adhering to a 48-hour surface interval is essential for ensuring safety and optimal recovery post-treatment.