Hydrate the day of dive?

[pilot fish]

The rule is to stay hydrated to avoid DCS. Ideally one should begin hydration a day or two prior to diving but if you start hydrating the morning of the dive,[ I realize it's better than NOT being hydrated at all ] will that be sufficient to avoid DCS? What is a proper amount of water that is considered hydration - pint, quart, half gallon?

 

[simbrooks]

There is a general rule in this modern world that people dont drink enough water. Almost everyone is dehydrated and they confuse that with being hungry, eat too much etc, when in fact they are just thirsty (dehydrated). I think the rule is that you should drink 20oz or so a day, or something like 3 8oz glasses, its something around that amount - i sip from a huge glass throughout the day. Drinking large amounts of water at one time will cause most of it to be wasted and go straight through you, sipping or taking a mouthful or so at a time over the course of a few hours/the day will help you to truly use that water. I stay well hydrated through the week, i still drink about 8-10oz before the first dive, another 8-10oz over a couple of SI's and another one or two of those after the final dive, cant have too much water. I have heard for an active pursuit like hiking you should take a quart with you per person per day, however i have never found that to be enough when hiking, so maybe i just drink a lot of water

Here are some links to keep you going on a quick search of threads containing hydration:
So what exactly is hydrated?
Diving, hydration and physical exertion
Hydration?
Water - Appetite Suppresant? started by your favourite mod
Water alone wont keep you hydrated will it?
Why hydration?

 

[pilot fish]

There is a general rule in this modern world that people dont drink enough water. Almost everyone is dehydrated and they confuse that with being hungry, eat too much etc, when in fact they are just thirsty (dehydrated). I think the rule is that you should drink 20oz or so a day, or something like 3 8oz glasses, its something around that amount - i sip from a huge glass throughout the day. Drinking large amounts of water at one time will cause most of it to be wasted and go straight through you, sipping or taking a mouthful or so at a time over the course of a few hours/the day will help you to truly use that water. I stay well hydrated through the week, i still drink about 8-10oz before the first dive, another 8-10oz over a couple of SI's and another one or two of those after the final dive, cant have too much water. I have heard for an active pursuit like hiking you should take a quart with you per person per day, however i have never found that to be enough when hiking, so maybe i just drink a lot of water

That makes sense, drink smaller amounts throughout the day and avoid large single amounts, but that would be a recommendation for a day or two prior to dive, wouldn't it? What amount on the day of dive would be the recommendation ?

 

[FatCat]

:439: Sheesh. Imperial measurements give me a migraine. 3 liters of water a day. Beer is not water. Nor is hard liquor.

 

[jonnythan]

As simbrooks said, *ideally* you'll be well hydrated all the time. For both diving and life, it greatly behooves you to stay hydrated, keep in shape, and eat well

 

[jonnythan]

That makes sense, drink smaller amounts throughout the day and avoid large single amounts, but that would be a recommendation for a day or two prior to dive, wouldn't it? What amount on the day of dive would be the recommendation ?

There's no reason to load up on water if you're already decently hydrated. I have a 24 oz water bottle on my desk, and I go through it twice while at work.. then once more at home every day, not including the orange juice or milk that I drink.

As long as I stick to that, there's no reason to increase my water consumption prior to diving. Just have to remember to pee right before

 

[jonnythan]

Oh, another thing... loading up on water causes you to lose it very quickly. Your body is in a decent equilibrium electrolyte-wise, and if you add large amounts of dilutant to the system, your body gets rid of it in really short order. If I suddenly drink a liter of water all at once, I'll be peeing out 90% of it within the hour. If I drink a liter of pure gatorade, my body will release it much more slowly because it won't be as upsetting to the concentration of solutes in my system. That's not to say that a liter of pure gatorade does a better job of hydrating you (it doesn't). The point is that attempting short term hydration for the purposes of preventing DCS isn't necessarily a good idea. Give your body a constant supply of fresh water and it will be happy and hydrated.

If you must "hydrate before dive" I'd suggest smaller amounts of water consistently in the day before the dive. Drink enough so that your pee is clear. Then keep doing it whether you're diving or not

 

[whitedragon13]

I've always been taught that you aren't hydrated properly until your urine is clear. You can achieve that by drinking throughout the day, or pounding a lot of water. Obviously, consistent hydration is preferred. I frequently do early morning dives, which means I'm dehydrated from sleeping. I'll drink a Propel and about 1/2 liter of water on the way to the dive site and finisht the liter after the dive.

 

[Snowbear]

That makes sense, drink smaller amounts throughout the day and avoid large single amounts, but that would be a recommendation for a day or two prior to dive, wouldn't it? What amount on the day of dive would be the recommendation ?

The amount varies by individual and conditions - If it's warm and you're sweating, you'll need to drink a lot more to replace what you've lost than if you're staying cool.

How do you know if you're hydrated? One of the best ways to tell is your pee.... If it's clear and you gotta pee regularly, you're probably adequately hydrated. If you only pee a couple times a day and it's yellow, you could stand to drink more water. If it's orange - you're dehydrated. There are, of course, exceptions - some vitamins make your pee artificially yellow. Drinking alcohol or other diuretics will make your pee temporarily clear while dehydrating you....

 

[topflowerrubberforever]

how about a camelbak hydration system strapped to the back of your tank. hydrate while diving?? hmmmmmmmm