What should be done if a patient has residual symptoms before flying?

When a patient presents with residual symptoms before flying, consulting with the Undersea Medical Officer (UMO) is the appropriate action to take. The UMO is specifically trained in hyperbaric medicine and familiar with the intricacies of patient care related to dive-related incidents and potential complications. They can provide an expert assessment of the patient's condition and advise on whether it is safe for the patient to fly, taking into account the nature of the residual symptoms and the associated risks of flying after diving.

Waiting a fixed period of 24 hours, regardless of the symptoms, does not address the individual variability in how patients recover from dive-related issues. Each patient's situation is unique, and residual symptoms may indicate varying levels of risk that need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Assessing hydration levels, while important in general for health and recovery, is not specific enough to determine if the patient is fit to fly, particularly when symptoms from decompression illness or other diving-related issues are present.

Referring to a specialist may not be necessary or timely, especially when the UMO is equipped to handle these specific situations immediately. The UMO can make informed decisions based on their specialized training, streamlining the care process for the patient.