What a disappointment

[JimC]

Right, why the difference?

Why is it only recommended to be fit and ok do guzzle caffeine prior to a deco dive while having a few smokes is a cardinal sin?

 

[cmalinowski]

GUE recommends...and forbids smoking or recreational drug use.

What!? Can we define recreational? I kid. I kid.

 

[Rick Inman]

Right, why the difference?

... ok do guzzle caffeine prior to a deco dive

This is not said to be OK. It's basic level stuff not to drink diuretics prior to diving, and to be well hydrated. No one ever said GUE is OK with consuming diuretics and not being hydrated.

 

[The Kraken]

Just an observation, but like many organizations, GUE was developed on the basis of free and private association. That free association is, of course, based upon the free association of peoples who subscribe to a given set of beliefs about how to conduct a particular type of diving. These people incorporated their beliefs into the rules governing membership to THEIR organization.

At that point, if one doesn't meet the criteria for admission to the club, then they aren't admitted.

A question for my own edification, please?

Does GUE have any restrictions with respect to weight, blood pressure, BMI or anything like that?

the K

 

[JeffG]

A question for my own edification, please?

Does GUE have any restrictions with respect to weight, blood pressure, BMI or anything like that?

the K

Nope
.

 

[mania]

Seriously, is there some hidden benefit from smoking that I am unaware of?

There is one. Smokers have higher CO2 retention (their bodies are used to have higher CO2) which is helpful in case of a real OOA. They can hold on without taking a breath a bit longer than others. BTW remember the movie "Big Blue"? Enzo Majorca was smoking a lot....

Smoking is bad. GUE has this idea that smokers are not allowed - their right to do so. And it's clearly written in theri standards. But they also should stress alcohol way stronger than they do. I saw GUE instructors having a beer at the end of diving day.
Now please tell me what - in short term - is more dangerous - smoking or drinking at the end of diving day?
With my limited knowledge of DCS I would say drinking is worse. (again in the short term point of view)

Mania

 

[TSandM]

No specific parameters. I assume the instructors have discretion to refuse students, if they think the student has weight or fitness issues that would make having them in the class unsafe. One DOES have to submit a thorough health history to GUE, and get clearance for any prescription medications, but I think that's more a liability/insurance issue than a health concern.

Oh, and to answer mania's question, I think smoking is a bigger issue than having a beer after a dive. Alcohol DOES dehydrate to a degree, and more is worse. But especially if you are aware of it and have taken in plenty of fluid during the day, and don't overindulge in alcohol, the effect of a beer on your risk of DCS several hours after a dive is probably negligible. Nobody's ever going to get a study done to prove it, though, because the incidence of DCS is too low, and you'd have to have a big cohort of divers doing similar dives, and monitor them for a long time, to show any difference.

On the other hand, the long-term effects of smoking on the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems are well known. Moderate alcohol consumption, on the other hand, is either neutral or beneficial to the cardiovascular system over the long term.

 

[diver 85]

Without even discussing the Pros and Cons of smoking itself, it is not possible to take a GUE course if you smoke, regardless of your personal fitness. We as GUE instructors have to follow the standards of the agency, and the standards dictate that a prerequisite of any GUE course is that the student is a non-smoker.

I'm sorry you feel disappointed.

John

Just curious, where do you(GUE) draw the line ie do you take overweight people, people who drink(alot), people with DM or a family hx of DM, people who have HTN, people with hypercholesteremia, people with a hx of Angle Closure Glaucoma(would hate for them to have an 'attack' @ 150' & go blind on the team), people with a hx of mental instability, I'm guessing you get the picture.....Where is the list of no-no's, would be interesting to review......Just curious.....

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

GUE recommends limited or no alcohol consumption, maintenance of normal body weight, at least three 30 minute cardiovascular exercise sessions per week, and forbids smoking or recreational drug use.

Really? Hmmmm ... both helium and cenotes are recreational drugs, to my concern ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[mania]

TSM
I know smoking is bad.
Me bad, me bad


But still I think that alcohol, drugs and overweight should be stressed as strongly as cigarettes are. It would be a more holistic approach.

Mania