Flying and Dehydration

[FPDocMatt]

Dehydration increases the risk of decompression sickness. According to Deco For Divers, one cause of dehydration is flying.

Any idea how flying causes dehydration?

 

[TSandM]

1) Low humidity.

2) Limited access to fluids

3) Alcohol consumption.

4) Limited restroom access.

It all adds up to consuming a small amount of fluid in an arid environment, and that fluid all too often has a net dehydrating effect.

 

[Thalassamania]

The air in an aircraft cabin is compressed from outside air. The outside air is very dry, because it is very cold, and the compression wrings what little water was left in it out. Wear a surgical mask, it'll keep some of your moisture in and help stop the colds and flu that are so easily transmitted on aircraft. And drink ... water or juice.

 

[theduckguru]

Dehydration increases the risk of decompression sickness. According to Deco For Divers, one cause of dehydration is flying.

Any idea how flying causes dehydration?

It depends on how long the the flight is and how much flapping you have to do.

Seriously, the cabin humidity is about 20%, people who don't like using restrooms in planes and terminal tend to consume less fluids, and change of rountine (long days and jet lag) tend to change diet/fluid consumption. Unless you are on a rather long flight, it is not an issue.