So, what exactly is "hydrated"?

[Darin]

I know that all the books and experts say that being hydrated prior to, between and after dives is important to help reduce the possibility of DCS.

So, what then is hydrated? I know that the amount of water needed is proportional to the amount of water given off during normal body functions. But, how much is enough or, more importantly, not enough?

I can’t remember the exact RDA of water, something like 8-8oz glasses of water a day, I think. I would guess this would change if applying this to diving.

I normally drink quite a lot of water. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 96oz a day, sometimes more depending on the heat (I live in Phoenix).

So, is there a “magic” number of oz of water to drink? How about a simple rule to follow?

Thanks for the help.

Darin

 

[Spectre]

To be completely blunt... a good rule of thumb is to quite simply... uh.... look at what's coming out of the tube.

If it's yellow, drink more water. if it's clear, then you're all good.

 

[Firefyter]

To be completely blunt... a good rule of thumb is to quite simply... uh.... look at what's coming out of the tube.

If it's yellow, drink more water. if it's clear, then you're all good.

This is a very good rule of thumb, but be advised that it is just that...a rule of thumb. If you take a lot of vitamins and supplements, or drink sports drinks, it will almost never be clear, no matter how much water you drink. Just something else to think about, YMMV.

 

[Charlie99]

If it's yellow, drink more water. if it's clear, then you're all good.

Your rule also has the advantage of reducing wetsuit odors. Dilution is the solution to pollution.

 

[Spectre]

Well, I decided to go with the visual method of determination, rather than the olfactory method.

 

[lostinspace]

Well, I decided to go with the visual method of determination, rather than the olfactory method.

but just remember, if you take too much vitaminC your pee looks fluorescent yellow!

 

[Dive-aholic]

Because so many things can change the appearance, it's not really what it looks like, but whether there is any. If you're peeing, then you're hydrated. If you're not peeing, then you need to drink more. There's no minimum amount of fluid to drink everyday because your activity level, climate, etc vary. Drink plenty. Your body will tell you when you're dehydrated. Like I said, the first thing to look at is whether you are peeing or not. Other things to watch for are your mucous membrames. Do they feel dry? A warning on this last part, it's a late sign. If they are dry, then you are dehydrated already.

 

[Darin]

Thanks all for the replies. I was kinda worried I'd get a bunch of tongue-in cheek answers but most of them are pretty good.

I learned in the military that the color of urination is not always a good indication, because there are many factors that can affect this, many of which were already mentioned.

Divaholics' post was pretty close to what I follow now. The amount (frequency) is more impotant than color.

I was just intrested in if anyone had a "formulae" they followed, I.E.-64oz within the first two hours before the dive, 32oz between dives and as much as can be tolerated after the dive, usually another 64oz.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Darin

 

[mccabejc]

Here's a very good article on diving and peeing. I mean, hydration.

http://www.divernet.com/technique/0504dehydration.shtml

 

[Spectre]

Like everything... color.... odor.... nothing is really foolproof. Frequency also is part of that. Everyone knows that a night of drinking alcohol involves a lot of urination, and the hangover has a lot to do with dehydration. So like the others, frequency doesn't necessarily means you are hydrated if you've put any sort of diuretic in your body [e.g. coffee or other caffeine].