A hint about heartburn

[DivingCRNA]

I know that I am not the only diver that experiences heartburn when diving. Yesterday I found a great way to get it BAD.

We were diving in a quarry and had a marginally deep profile planned with a couple of goals to accomplish on an AL 80 and within NDL. Previous dive to that depth (around 100 feet) was 26 minutes. I am working on consumption rates, and making progress. Not much to do about deco except do deco. I was already on EAN.

Here is how to get the heartburn. I had a small breakfast and ate cold pizza and a sandwich for lunch before the afternoon of diving. I was diving dry, it was a little warm, so I did not want to get dehydrated and drank a small gatoraid before each of the 2 dives. Knowing that time was limited on the second dive, I descended head first kicking the whole way.

Being upside down and kicking gave me enough heartburn to the point of almost puking at 108 feet in the quarry. If you are prone to heartburn while diving, do not eat, drink, and then swim upside down for 100 feet.:no

Otherwise, it was a great day of diving.

 

[1_T_Submariner]

Ummm Thanks for the advice 3/4 lb cheese burgers before diving do it for me.

 

[shakeybrainsurgeon]

The standard advice for reflux is to eat six small meals a day. I use a slightly modified approach and eat six large meals a day.

 

[cadiver67]

Howdy,

I typically get a lot of heartburn and occasional reflux especially after eating spicy or greasy foods.

What do we all do on dive boats - you eat then dive, then eat then dive, again and again. The horizontal and upside down positions of diving certainly don't help.

I like to take over the counter Prilosec before dive trips to avoid all this -
it really helps!

One pill works for 24 hours - but its not like rolaids or tums you can't take it and expect it to work instantly.

If I plan on diving on Saturday then I will take 1 Prilosec on Thursday night and 1 Prilosec on Friday night to let it get into my system.

I do not take a pill on the dive day - I don't need it because it works for 24 hours - and I don't get heartburn at all even when upside down.

Try it if heartburn and reflux is a problem when diving.

 

[Hank49]

The standard advice for reflux is to eat six small meals a day. I use a slightly modified approach and eat six large meals a day.

I've found that 0 alcohol (as in the night before....or in my case, none for the last two years) intake has eliminated it for scuba diving. However, if I free dive and do about 20 + dives to over 30 feet or so, I'll still get it a bit. I just keep swallowing if it starts. Does the multiple pressure changes cause it? Once I get out of the water, I'm fine.