Dry throat/ coughing?

[ZenDiva]

Someone brought up something in another thread that had me thinking.........does your throat get dry when you're diving? what happens if you have to cough?

ZenDiva

 

[do it easy]

i find that if i'm breathing hard, my throat will get dry. the air in scuba tanks should be extremely dry (little or no moisture), so that it doesn't cause the regulator to free flow.

i try to slow my motions and breathing down to a slow pace to avoid the cotton mouth feeling. i have seen someone nearly drown because of this- it's not pretty.

if i do have to cough, i'll put a hand over the reg to keep in my mouth. i find that metal body regs are more comfortable to breathe than plastic ones. it might be psychological, but i also take the 2nd stage out and flood it every so often to re-wet the inside and clear out the drool.

 

[DandyDon]

i find that if i'm breathing hard, my throat will get dry. the air in scuba tanks should be extremely dry (little or no moisture), so that it doesn't cause the regulator to free flow.

Yep, tank air is very dry, or is supposed to be at least, and newbies tend to breath it faster - drying out the mouth. With practice, you'll slow down, and your mouth will adjust too maybe. Hydrating well, starting the day before helps with this and other needs.

i try to slow my motions and breathing down to a slow pace to avoid the cotton mouth feeling. i have seen someone nearly drown because of this- it's not pretty.

Whoa, let's not scare the newbies excessivly. I'm sure this is very rare; I've never seen it.

if i do have to cough, i'll put a hand over the reg to keep in my mouth. i find that metal body regs are more comfortable to breathe than plastic ones. it might be psychological, but i also take the 2nd stage out and flood it every so often to re-wet the inside and clear out the drool.

Holding the reg with your hand is a very good idea, for coughing, puking, anything other than regular breathing. You want to know the skill for retrieving it, but keeping it in your mouth is certainly preferable. Maybe hold off on the flooding it until you feel really comfy in the water.

Mine never leaves my mouth on a dive, but then I got one that is very difficult to lose - which I consider a good thing.

 

[ZenDiva]

ok thank you, Don't worry DD I'm not that easily scared off *smile*

How do you hydrate your mouth? I can think of a couple of possibilities but there prob not correct and prob better left unmentioned

*smile*

ZenDiva

 

[DandyDon]

ok thank you, Don't worry DD I'm not that easily scared off *smile*

How do you hydrate your mouth? I can think of a couple of possibilities but there prob not correct and prob better left unmentioned

*smile*

ZenDiva

Total hydration Diva - minimum 2 quarts of non-diuretic beverages a day, three is better if it's a hot day. If it's cool weather, DeCaf coffee and hot chocolate are nice. This is also good for other possibilities with diving, even with avoiding DCS.

Personally, I avoid Reverse Osmosis water and like one quart to be sport drink. I'm told that it doesn't matter, but I think I've seen otherwise.

Good nutrition is also good when diving. I am always on a diet, except for when I'm diving.

 

[the_cat_keeper]

If I have to cough under water, I hold the reg against my mouth and then cough normally as if I were on land.

Now I have a filter which I can add water to moisten the air so I no longer have this problem.

 

[tribaltim]

ok thank you, Don't worry DD I'm not that easily scared off *smile*

How do you hydrate your mouth? I can think of a couple of possibilities but there prob not correct and prob better left unmentioned

*smile*

ZenDiva

No go ahead and mention them I'm sure we are all ears.

haha

 

[String]

Coughing,sneezing and other err functions can be performed as normal through a reg. Its not a problem at all.

I sometimes get a dry throat after or during a dive. Normally its not a problem, occasionally i take a drink down with me. Again, its a minor inconvenience nothing more.

 

[JacobK]

Someone brought up something in another thread that had me thinking.........does your throat get dry when you're diving? what happens if you have to cough?

ZenDiva

Yes. After every dive during my SIT, I drink 1/2 liter bottle of water. Because of the dry air, your body has to moisturize it. Just like flying on a plane. If you do not drink water, you can dehydrate

 

[DandyDon]

Yes. After every dive during my SIT, I drink 1/2 liter bottle of water. Because of the dry air, your body has to moisturize it. Just like flying on a plane. If you do not drink water, you can dehydrate

Some of us don't drink enough on a plane as we don't like waiting in line for the onboard head or looking for one in a strange airport. And what if the NEED hits on approach? :11:

I start tanking up once I get to the hotel, tho. I may have to make a few nocturnal runs, but oh well. And once in the ocean - no problem...!