Hot Tub and Scuba

[JShutterbugF]

Are there any hard and fast rules about hot tub use after diving? (Other than not to). Wondering how long I should be waiting to get into my hot tub that I bought for back problems. Obviously this tends to be when I need it the most. Any guidelines are appreciated. It's not too hot (96 degrees) and doing say 2 dives at 50 foot max for 45-60 minutes. Any ideas appreciated!

 

[Doubler]

Seeing how 96 degrees would be more of a Luke warm tub I don't see a problem. My Hot tub is at 102 degrees.

 

[chrpai]

What is Decompression: Hot Tubs After Diving ? Medical Dive Article ? DAN | Divers Alert Network

 

[flots am]

What is Decompression: Hot Tubs After Diving ? Medical Dive Article ? DAN | Divers Alert Network

Yeah, that pretty much covers it. "A hot tub might be good for you or bad for you, but nobody can actually say."

What would be nice is some sort of a "hot tub alert" on dive computers that would indicate whether a hot tub would be good or bad with the current nitrogen loading.

flots.

 

[tflaris]

I would suggest contacting Diver's Alert Network. You can call them even if your not a member.

TF

 

[JShutterbugF]

I am a member. I'll read that article. Yes, flots, it would. I was wondering if I should look at the tables until I zero off of it?

 

[uncfnp]

Not scientific but I have had no problems with hot tub use at 102 degrees 2 to 3 hours after diving. Warm water diver only though...

 

[flots am]

I am a member. I'll read that article. Yes, flots, it would. I was wondering if I should look at the tables until I zero off of it?

Sorry, just like DAN, I have no idea.

I can tell you that tables are are only valid for the conditions they were designed for (and even then, it's mostly observation, some measurements and some "let's dial it back a little") so I wouldn't go reading anything into them about hot tubs.


flots.

 

[Doubler]

If your "hot tub" is at 96 degrees you are actually two degrees lower than average body temperature so you should' t have any Ill effects associated with heat and DCS. Now cold and DCS could be a different story. 96 would feel chilly to me.

 

[DevonDiver]

My approach has always been; If in doubt apply 'Flying After Diving' recommendations. Special consideration would have to be taken if further repetitive/multi-day dives were planned.

With specific regards to hot tubs/showers (also massages, exertion or even ice-baths)... it'd be the changes occurring to your cardio-vascular system that could impact safe off-gassing. As a general rule of thumb, any factor that causes you to off-gas at a different rate to which you have on-gassed must be considered suspect.

Whilst there may not be proven or calculated risk factors, differences between on-gassing and off-gassing efficiencies are certainly throwing you off-track from the algorithms you have/are using to track your nitrogen saturation. Given that such algorithms/tables are built upon statistics, it may pay dividends to make every effort to stay within the parameters of those statistical norms...