Energy Drinks

[skdvr]

Just wanted to know what your thougts were about drinking an energy drink before diving. When I head to the Quarry which is about 2.5 hours away I am up early and in the car I usually drink a Rock Star. I was just wondering if any would think that there is a problem with that or drinking one in the afternoon, or would you just stick to water? How about something like 5 hr energy? I have not taken this before diving because I did not know what it may or may not do?

Thanks
Phil

 

[DeNomad]

I drink these when I sit in 3 hr review sessions at University... It keeps you awake, but I wouldn't reccomend it for diving. Especially the rockstar, that one makes you whiz like a race horse. But for those who are willing to no 1. in their wetsuit, that might not be such a big issue . But yea, I avoid rockstar now it actually made my bladder/kidney's sore, so it can't be good for you.

 

[Kingpatzer]

My take on anything I eat or drink: read the label, if there's something that sounds like it belongs in a chemistry set, then it's not food and shouldn't be consumed.

I generally have some water and fruit for dive day snacks.

 

[mwhities]

I usually drink a RedBull after my first one or two dives. Keeps a pep in your step.

The long rides home from Florida, I usually drink three or four. SuprBugMan got me addicted to them.

Michael

 

[skdvr]

Rock Stars do make you Wiz, I can normally go a good while on a trip before I would have to pull over but when I drink one of these on the way to the Quarry (2.5 hours) I have to stop once and then have to go again by the time I get there from one Rock Star, but after that it is fine, and all I drink the rest of the day is water. I have not YET peed in my wetsuit, nor do I intend to. So for that reason alone I had not been drinking another Rock Star while diving I just did not know if there could be any adverse things with a raised heart lever and deep diving or anything like that...

Thanks for the input...

Phil

 

[CDNScubaMoose]

Sounds like to me that the energy drinks in question either have a considerable amount of caffine or some other type of diuretic (hence the need to whiz). In either case they are basically causing you to dehydrate. Dehydration can effect your nitrogen loading so you could be putting yourself at a greater risk of decompression sickness (bends). But it also sounds like you a doing a good job getting rehydrated before your dives and during your surface interval (lots of water) so as long as you maintain your hydration then I can't see a problem. If I was planning on doing deep dives and/or an agressive profile with long bottom times or short surface intervals then I might hold off just to be on the safe side.

 

[mwhities]

I'm always drinking gatoraide or some kind of sports drink and water with the red bull. I feel that I'm getting hydrated enough. I am glad you mentioned that, I am sure a few people wouldn't think about that and would get bent.

Michael

 

[Garrobo]

I drink Gatorade before the dive, after the dive and if I could, during the dive. Uh-huh, it makes you pee but that's good. Cleans out your system and I really like the warm and fuzzy feeling when peeing in my wetsuit. Actually makes me kind of horny. That's good for a senior citizen.

 

[mwhities]

You old fart... I just pee because I don't have an access pee hole and when I get cold, it warm me up. (Plus, I don't have to worry about anyone using my suit. )

Michael

 

[Melicertes]

I drink Gatorade before the dive, after the dive and if I could, during the dive. Uh-huh, it makes you pee but that's good. Cleans out your system and I really like the warm and fuzzy feeling when peeing in my wetsuit. Actually makes me kind of horny. That's good for a senior citizen.

Yes, replenishing the electrolytes in your system's a good idea. I don't have any problem with Gatorade or just plain old water; I do the same as you Garrobo. As for energy drinks, I agree with ScubaMoose's post. Dehydration is your enemy, and most of those energy drinks do act as diuretics and could potentially increase your DCS risk so it's a no-no in my books :no