Diving, Hydration & Physical Exertion

[mccabejc]

After reading of divers' experiences here and elsewhere, I'm beginning to learn the importance of good hydration when diving. I couldn't remember my instructor stressing this at all during OW class, so I went back to my PADI OW CD and searched for it. Not there. Well, not directly. In the "Health for Diving" section it does say this: "Also, alcohol before or immediately after a dive also increases your risk of decompression sickness (discussed later in this section). Be conservative if drinking the night before diving; alcohol tends to dehydrate you, which can also predispose you to decompression sickness." But nothing saying that you should drink plenty of fluids, or what kind of fluids, how much, before and/or after diving.

It also talks about keeping fit, but doesn't tie heavy physical exertion before and/or after diving with increased risk of DCS (I think there is some connection there, no?). And it doesn't talk about that exertion possibly causing CO2 loading.

I feel the need to take a class which talks more in depth about this kind of stuff. Is there such a thing?

 

[OE2X]

I've found that it is far easier for me to become narc'd when I'm a bit dehydrated. Never been bent, so I don't know if there is a similar correlation.

 

[jiveturkey]

I feel the need to take a class which talks more in depth about this kind of stuff. Is there such a thing?

Try reading up on dive theory. The more you learn about it, the more these things fit together logically. The Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving is a good start. It's not too heavy and represents a good introduction to a bunch of important topics.

 

[ScubaFreak]

Dehydration is probably, if not THE main culprit when it comes to cramping, muscle injury and muscle fatigue.
Without being technical - If the muscles ain't workin the way they should be- you can be sure that'll play havoc with nitrogen absorption (<-- spelling?) and gassing off.

Same in the sports world- sports people don't drink fizzy drinks, tea or coffee before or during a game because these kind of drinks dehydrate them! Especially Diet Coke- i'll bet if you know someone who drinks Diet Coke regularly they cant get enough of it...!!

SF

 

[jbd]

I feel the need to take a class which talks more in depth about this kind of stuff. Is there such a thing?

I understand what you're saying but I think instead of another class for you to take---instructors should be explaining more of this in the classes they do teach.

Bruce Wienke has some books out that talk about this stuff. You get good idea of the origins of bubbles and their developement as well as some explanation of many of the decompression models that have evolved over the years.


Try www.bestpub.com

Also some of this is talked about in the Dr Deco section.