Foot Cramps

[Diver_Gurl82]

I get terrible foot cramps when I am diving (and swimming....and other times too). Does anyone else experience this and if so what can be done to correct the problem?

 

[rmediver2002]

Make sure you are staying well hydrated...

Try some stretching before, during (if neccessary), and after your diving or swimming.

 

[ScubaLoon]

According to foot cramps while diving.......do your fins/boots fit properly???
Since the day I got new boots my foot cramps are history.

 

[jbd]

Try to not actively extend your feet when finning. Just keep your feet and ankles relaxed. Try a different finning technique. Also the question of muscle cramps has come up in the past. There may be some solutions in the diving medicine section.Its possible that you might have a mineral deficiency or imbalance which may need to be addressed.

Good luck

 

[Diver0001]

I get terrible foot cramps when I am diving (and swimming....and other times too). Does anyone else experience this and if so what can be done to correct the problem?

You could be bunching up your toes, perhaps not entirely relaxed yet? Leg and foot cramps are common for new divers. Try to consciously relax, breathe slow and deep and as rmdiver said, drink lots of water.

R..

 

[Mantaman]

Living in Asia I never seen a dive boat without hoards of Bananas....and I eat my fair share. I agree with the suggestions above to try other boots and drink lots and relax your finning technique but the bananas seem to give me what I need.

I also dive with socks which many people find funny, but I get blisters on the tops of my toes and the socks solve that problem. The socks also give me an extra measure of warmth. Many people laugh but those that try it seem to like it.

 

[justleesa]

I agree with scubaloon. Since I got my new booties -Leg and foot cramps ade!

and as Mantaman says you might wanna have a banana before you dive...but check the dive boat first...over here it's bad luck to bring a banana on the boat...lol...the captain makes them eat their bananas on shore (Don't ask me why...I never have...)

 

[RIDIVER501]

In addition to all the good finning and proper footware advice.
Also make sure you are properly hydrated and aren't low on potasium.
gaterade, powerade, grapefruit juice are all good sources of potasium and electroluyes plus they help hydrate you.
Recently taught a navy corps man whose ultimate problem with cramping was a potasium deficiency.

hope that helps

 

[Diver_Gurl82]

Thanks, I'll try drinking some gaterade before diving. I don't think that it is the boots or fins, because I just normally get foot cramps. Would taping my feet help?

 

[tg54]

Bananas, tomatoes, perhaps Gateraid (sp), or a potassium/calcium vitamin will help with the cramps. I find that it helps a lot in cold water, also drinking 1/2 to a full leter of water on the way to the dive site guarentees my hydration.

I found that I get cramps mostly during and within 3 days of finishing my mensus; which is when we need to replenish nutrition after natural dehydration removes most of the minerals.