Hot Tubs After Diving?

[phan000]

I just finished my test and pool dives. It was excellent

During the classroom portion my instructor told us that according to NAUI, hot tubs and hot showers are not safe after diving.:huh:

He modified this statement by saying that he did not know if it was true and that he heard some dive boats up north have hot tubs on board.

Having just bought a hot tub two months ago and enjoyed it often, I was shocked by this... Does anyone else think this is nonsense. Is it just a dehydration thing?

Or is it really that dangerous... Please! I thought hot water and massaging jets would be just what the doctor ordered.:14:

 

[halocline]

You might snoop around on the "ask Dr. Deco" forum to find some detailed responses to this question. In short, hot showers, hot baths, and lounging in a hot tub immediately after diving does present an increased risk for some types of DCS symptoms. I can't give you the full explanation, but someone else will I'm sure.

 

[Thalassamania]

It was though (some years ago, maybe still today) that warming of the blood in the periphery of the body could bring on DCS. This was the rationale for canceling the hot tub that was, at one time, considered for the porch of the George Bond Habitat (now the Aquarius Habitat) that was scheduled to be deployed off of Catalina (now in the Keys).

 

[Hollywoodivers]

I just finished my test and pool dives. It was excellent

During the classroom portion my instructor told us that according to NAUI, hot tubs and hot showers are not safe after diving.:huh:

He modified this statement by saying that he did not know if it was true and that he heard some dive boats up north have hot tubs on board.

Having just bought a hot tub two months ago and enjoyed it often, I was shocked by this... Does anyone else think this is nonsense. Is it just a dehydration thing?

Or is it really that dangerous... Please! I thought hot water and massaging jets would be just what the doctor ordered.:14:

We have two boats in California and in the early 90's there used to be three of them with hot tubs. I have been using the boats for almost 20 years. Diving in 58 degree water 3 to 4 times during the day and then after drinking a bottle of water or two going in the 105 degree hot tub. I am a NAUI instructor and a PADI instructor and I too tell people stay out of the hot water after diving. Strange huh ? I would also tell you to stay out of hot water, drink plenty of water, no strenuous exercise and no travel to altitude.....and no alcohol.
I myself have broken every single one of these rules at some point. I suggest you follow the rules of the training agencies based on their research and DAN's I would like to think they know more than we do.
I have also had the bends, Not serious and on a day when I broke no rules, dove very conservative and felt my case was undeserved. Slow ascent, safety stop, no hot tub, etc bla bla bla...still spent 8 hours in a chamber.
Wish I could tell you more.....preventing the bends is a theory. The agencies and instructors do what they can to prevent it. We still don't know to what extent hot water will force gas release but it does cause vasodialation and change circulation.
I would stay out of the hot tub for a a few hours after diving and drink plenty of water and no alcohol...hmmm what a quandry...and what a long winded answer..sorry bout that hope it helps

 

[Rick Inman]

Here it is from the Doc's own post; http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=1337968&postcount=22

 

[saunastubes]

Hot Tubs is really best of body relax. Hot tubs give a good message that you work hard then body tired and you work official then mind stress. Both side use of Hot tubs and relax after bath and always fresh, enjoy your life with family and friends without tired and worry also.

 

[TMHeimer]

After a 20 minute 20' dive in 35F water in my 7 mil in Jan. I eventually take a hot shower- but maybe 2-3 hours later. I would think if you do extremely shallow dives (2 to 30' or less in a day) you would have no problem with using a hot tub. But I am absolutely unsure of this....

 

[g1138]

Calling DAN would give you a much more full answer on this question.

I don't know the science behind it but I trust the general consensus that you shouldn't immediately follow a dive with a very hot soak.
I would personally wait a few hours before taking a hot soak. Normally when I'm diving I usually have at least a solid 2 hours between driving home and rinsing my gear before I jump in the shower.

 

[k ellis]

Like above posters mentioned I was always told to wait about an hour to two hours post dive and so long as it does not peel your skin off you would be ok. One thing to keep in mind though and its just a for what its worth statement if the dive was in cold water you should exit the dive water, dry off and then allow your body a chance to warm up on its own. If you go from being cold and wet to immediately jumping into hot water it could cause your body to go into shock. I am no medical professional however this is an old warning I have heard many times and because I dont like to take risk with bodily injury I adhere to it like it was gold!

 

[RonFrank]

I think there is a big 'Depending' clause somewhere in here. I generally avoid a hot soak immediately following a long day pushing NDL's. I don't worry much if I did shallow reef dives all day.

Reading Docs posts it seem that cold dives followed by hot showers are more problematic than warm dives followed by a warm or hot shower. Again I avoid hot soaks immediately following a day pushing NDL's. I have been known to tub a couple hours after shallow reef dives.

So far so good, but the more I read on this stuff the more I think they really don't understand it....