Diving then Hot-Tubing !!

[Rocksolid]

I recently purchased a new Hot-Tub and was told by my lds to be careful after diving. My question is, how long should one wait after diving before getting in the Hot-Tub? and do I have to wait to dive if I was in the Hot-Tub First?

 

[Uncle Pug]

Why?

Always ask, "Why?"

 

[bwerb]

Don't you have to wait until after you take your gear off...the chlorine will really kill your stuff...

 

[HammerNoMore]

Don't you have to wait until after you take your gear off...the chlorine will really kill your stuff...

I use a non-chloring based sanitizer in mine. Feel free to dive my hot tub...

 

[Wendy]

I have heard this too, also not to takea hot shower after diving. Something about the heat makes your vessels dilate and this can get you the bends just like surfacing too quickly.

IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE?????

 

[Damselfish]

I was told by my original instructor to avoid hot tubs and very hot showers right after diving, as the heat affects circulation and encourages bubbling or affects outgassing, and may contribute to DCS. I also remember seeing a page about this on the Peter Hughes web site, just found it here. http://www.peterhughes.com/moreaboutus/hottubs.shtml

What the truth here is, I sure have no idea.

 

[jagfish]

Yup
In Japan most of the dive sites have hot tubs. They are really welcome in the winter. However, physics suggests that a warmer liquid holds less gas than a colder one, which is why warm soda loses it's fizz faster, or even explosively. So, getting into a hot tub after diving in cold water runs the risk of driving gas out of your blood much faster than normal offgassing.

JAG

 

[Uncle Pug]

getting into a hot tub after diving in cold water runs the risk of driving gas out of your blood much faster than normal offgassing.

Why would that be undesirable?

 

[jagfish]

Because it would do so at a rate that could form bubbles (high speed). Essentially, it increases the pressure gradient between the gasses in your blood and the surrounding air (in your lungs). Essentially the same condition as surfacing too fast from depth...

On saying all this, like I said, hot tubs are an inextricable feature of dive sites here, and I've never heard of a spontaneous case of DCS in the "suds". In addition, a huge proportion of divers smoke like chimneys as well here.

JAG

 

[DocVikingo]

The thinking behind such a caution is that exposure to hot water results in vasodilatation, and excessive dilation of blood vessels following scuba may result in dangerously rapid off-gassing of tissues, especially those with short time constants.

Best regards.

DocVikingo