Do you Drink and Dive?

[JeffG]

Okay, since everyone much is pretty opposed......Lets say you are in Mexico, and go to a very nice resort for a loooong leisurely lunch and you have one beer. After how long would you be fine with getting in for a 40-50 ft dive? One beer folks with your fish tacos....

To PC for me. I guess I better not mention diving with cans of beer in my drysuit pockets so that they could be nice and cold and ready to be drank while I'm taking my rig apart.

 

[Rick Inman]

Okay, since everyone much is pretty opposed......Lets say you are in Mexico, and go to a very nice resort for a loooong leisurely lunch and you have one beer. After how long would you be fine with getting in for a 40-50 ft dive? One beer folks with your fish tacos....

I don't drink at all (but I sure used to!), and I'm not in favor of drinking even one beer before a dive. Now, with that said, I have been (and seen others) more effected mentally by sunburn, or long times baking in the sun during the SI, than one beer would have. Or jet lag, or time zone change, or many vacation activities. And then they go diving. What makes one beer any worse (speaking rec dives only)?

 

[Cacia]

well, that is kinda my point. because I have had a beer on a long leisurely vacation and the truth is I don't ever get "drunk" and have never even had a speeding ticket in my whole life. Not to sound smug, but some people just can handle themselves. I know how it sounds, but it is what I really think. And people that have drinking problems where they just "get away from themselves", should really not ever have one.
Or, if you are really conservative, or if you don't enjoy it, or....whatever. But there are people who are occasionally going to have a beer with lunch and dive a couple hours later and probably be fine for years and years. Is it a good business policy? No, but that is different. I am not trying to be controversial but I feel the need to stick up for responsible mature adults out there that have good track records of managing life.

and sometimes you'll get a smoker who never exercises tell you what to do....it makes me nuts.....

 

[scubaaaronh]

I used to drink heavily but pretty much quit about ten years ago. Now i may have a dozen drinks in a year. But even when i did drink i didnt drink around dive times, before or after.

Before and after a dive i drink gatorade, not water. It seems to help me rehydrate quicker than water alone.

 

[MoonWrasse]

I don't drink at all (but I sure used to!), and I'm not in favor of drinking even one beer before a dive. Now, with that said, I have been (and seen others) more effected mentally by sunburn, or long times baking in the sun during the SI, than one beer would have. Or jet lag, or time zone change, or many vacation activities. And then they go diving. What makes one beer any worse (speaking rec dives only)?

Sunburn/too much sun is also a no-no. Dehydrates you.
Enormous jet lag, like what I get after flying 20 hours to Thailand, is also something you want to clear up prior to a dive. Not only does it fatigue you, it dehydrates you and can expose you to lots of airborn diseases in the plane.
So I wait at least a day or 2 before diving.

 

[NadMat]

well, that is kinda my point. because I have had a beer on a long leisurely vacation and the truth is I don't ever get "drunk" and have never even had a speeding ticket in my whole life. Not to sound smug, but some people just can handle themselves. I know how it sounds, but it is what I really think. And people that have drinking problems where they just "get away from themselves", should really not ever have one.
Or, if you are really conservative, or if you don't enjoy it, or....whatever. But there are people who are occasionally going to have a beer with lunch and dive a couple hours later and probably be fine for years and years. Is it a good business policy? No, but that is different. I am not trying to be controversial but I feel the need to stick up for responsible mature adults out there that have good track records of managing life.

and sometimes you'll get a smoker who never exercises tell you what to do....it makes me nuts.....

Some people would much rather complain about how bad your habits may be than to attempt to correct their own shortcomings. Also, comments about how you suck may make them feel better about their own suckiness.

 

[Cacia]

I hate rules that all.

The original question said "100 % sober which sounds like AA speak to me". I consider myself sober after a beer. What does sober mean anyway? That you can function unimpaired or that you have not had a drink in so many days....I honestly have no idea. my impression is the word is used in different ways.

 

[Daner]

Drinking the night before: Yes
Drinking before diving: No but...
Having a beer with lunch on a surface interval: Yes, if available.
Dive while drunk: No.

A single beer with lunch during a surface interval is not going to materially impair my diving. Dehydration is definately and issue but you can still down a couple bottles of water before after a beer to keep you hydrated.

I have seen divers in very poor physical shape, chain smokers, over the counter drugs, over weighted, over stressed, rusty or inferior skills or fatigued that increase various risks more than my one beer with lunch. Its unfair to make a general statement that nobody should drink any alcohol at all the night before diving or on surface intervals.

 

[PhotoTJ]

It is a proven fact that everyone is impared after even one beer. The question is, how much, and do you feel that you can function at depth? After a beer, I'm going to give it an hour before I dive.

Bottom line, it's a judgement call. Do what you feel is right and safe for you.

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

I agree that responsible adults should be able to handle themselves without someone coming along and harping about The Rules

I've never done it, but I could have a beer with lunch, and an hour later go diving, and I would be okay with that. My personal limit is one, though. Other peoples' personal limits are theirs to understand, set, and follow. It's none of my business.