Effects of Scuba on Career

[jponline77]

Hi all!

I'm very new to scuba (6 dives) and so far I love it! I'm considering investing significant money into equipment.

I do, however, have concerns about the sport. At first my concerns about the sport were for safety, however, on further review I feel that I can manage that risk well enough. More concerning, however, is the inconclusive studies on long term damage caused by scuba diving. There seems to be a number of flawed studies that show that there are effects on recreational divers who have not experienced DCS.

I noticed that the day after my multi-dive days I am wiped out. This week after a two tank dive on Sunday I was so scatterbrained at work I could get nothing done. In my 6 years on the job I have never ever been that bad. This happened to me on my OW dives as well, however, it was particularly bad all week. Now, this could be:

a) improper sleep
b) obsessive about a new hobbie
c) subclinical DCS
d) tired from a tough day of exercise

However, if it keeps up, it will affect my career.

I have a good work life balance having a number of hobbies including snowboarding, hiking, camping and photography. However, I still am moving fairly quickly in my career and love what I do. I am very concerned about impacting that side of my life. I have an intellectually challenging job in hi-tech R&D and slowing down either to being significantly distracted or, worse, minor damage to my functions would be catastrophic.

I have been able to take up other hobbies without impacting career but this hobby seems different.

I am interested in others on the boards experience with diving and how it affected their careers. Please fill out the poll and give some color on how diving has impacted your career.

 

[letterboy]

hrmm poll huh . . . .

Diving hasn't effected my carrer as much as MOF/NMOF has. . .

 

[jponline77]

Here's the poll that I couldn't get on because I wasn't fast enough:

a) My career has blossomed since starting diving and it's unrelated to diving
b) My career has blossomed since starting diving and it's related to diving
c) My career has been unaffected by diving
d) My career has slowed since starting diving and it's unrelated to diving
e) My career has slowed since starting diving and it's related to diving
f) Career, well, I quit my job to be a professional diver

 

[letterboy]

I would choose C if i had a choice though . . . .

 

[jonnythan]

I don't have the ability to add a poll to an existing thread. I suggest you put up a new poll, and let me delete this thread.

 

[REII]

My career has been doing well and I dive a lot. I think diving gives you something to look forward to, and another justification for all of the hard work.

Like JP, if I dive on a Sunday, I will be tired on Monday if I don't get to bed early on Sunday eve. I also try to space in a day after a dive vacation to rest up for work. Staying hydrated and eating propery helps.

TOM

 

[OE2X]

JP - a couple of ways to lessen your fatigue:

Dive nitrox 32% or higher. I know it's inconclusive, but there is some theory about nitrogen loading and fatigue.

Spend at least half of your dive at 30' or less with a long slow ascent to the surface. Lamont is a good one to give you the science on this.

Also what REII said about staying hydrated.

 

[jponline77]

Jonny,

Don't worry about the poll... I'm more interested in peoples actual experiences anyway.

Thanks,

JP

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Switching to nitrox does help. Also keeping dives shallow and if doing deep dives utilizing deep stops and as was stated long slow ascents. Stay 5 minutes at 15 instead of 3 and work on your buoyancy or some other small skill that does not require exertion. Also if you're career is that important perhaps you need top back off on something or do 1 or 2 dives instead of 3 or 4. For me, my company does not own me. Life is too short to base it around a job. I'll never get rich because of this attitude I guess but I will be content and happy as long as my needs are met and some of my wants such as being able to dive.

 

[jonnythan]

Jonny,

Don't worry about the poll... I'm more interested in peoples actual experiences anyway.

Thanks,

JP

Gotcha.

Personally, I've never been affected in any way "the day after," but I do notice my fatigue level is *greatly* reduced when I do a very, very slow ascent, especially in the last 20 feet. Take 2 solid minutes for the last 20 feet and you will feel the difference. Most people kinda "pop up" after their safety stop, and that's a recipe for post-dive fatigue and subclinical DCS.