Fizzy Drink and DCS

[supergaijin]

During my girlfriend's IDC, a candidate talked about the dangers of drinking fizzy drink (like coca cola) and then diving. He was specifically saying that the bubbles in the drink would increase the chances of a DCS hit.

For me, the bubbles are in the stomach which is enclosed and away from the blood stream so apart from the possible changes to metabolism due to the caffeine and sugars, it shouldn't be a factor?

Any thoughts?

 

[tc]

It would greatly increase the potential problem- of burping.

No effect on potential DCS though. Staying hydrated is important, somewhat better to use non-caffeinated drinks though since caffeine is a diuretic.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

During my girlfriend's IDC, a candidate talked about the dangers of drinking fizzy drink (like coca cola) and then diving. He was specifically saying that the bubbles in the drink would increase the chances of a DCS hit.

For me, the bubbles are in the stomach which is enclosed and away from the blood stream so apart from the possible changes to metabolism due to the caffeine and sugars, it shouldn't be a factor?

You are correct. Carbonated beverages enter the body through the GI tract. Those bubbles cannot enter the bloodstream under normal circumstances; that simply isn't how GI absorption works. However, the carbonated bubbles may linger and coalesce as they move through the GI tract. Subjecting that gas trapped inside the GI tract to pressure changes can lead to abdominal pains until it "works its way out."

In short, the candidate in your girlfriend's IDC was full of it.

 

[knotical]

Besides, the fizzy drink bubbles are CO2, not N2.

 

[burna]

Sounds like they are getting confused with the analogy with dissolved N2 in the blood and CO2 in fizzy drink.

 

[Plane Trouble]

Besides, the fizzy drink bubbles are CO2, not N2.

Agreed, its molecular nitrogen that matters...

Sounds like they are getting confused with the analogy with dissolved N2 in the blood and CO2 in fizzy drink.

Agreed... Used this analogy a thousand times...

 

[zaberman1]

WAIT, does this mean that all the dive boats serving fizzy drinks are trying to kill us!?!?! I smell a conspiracy on our hands...

 

[Plane Trouble]

I always suspected something behind the smirk of our mexican dive masters in Cozumel as they handed us sprites....

Sneaky..... very sneaky.....

 

[Dr Deco]

This is a common question although the instructor’s answer was not. The carbon dioxide bubbles in the stomach will not enter the blood stream. The dissolved gas itself would at best enter the venous system.

There is a story told that during an opening ceremony for a new tunnel in France, champagne was served to the dignitaries. This occurred in the late 1800’s and was apparently a novel event – the tunnel, not the champagne. The tunnel was pressurized [possibly not yet competed] and the “sparkle” remained in solution.

When the dignitaries attempted to leave through the decompression manlock, a rash of terrible bellyaches enthused. The group needed gentle decompression.

It is a good thing they also did not serve Mentos!

 

[Louie]

Sounds like they are getting confused with the analogy with dissolved N2 in the blood and CO2 in fizzy drink.

I think this very commonly-used analogy does confuse a lot of people. They hear "bubbles" and "soda" and think back to their Open Water lectures.