The Risks of Drinking Alcohol before Diving
Drinking alcohol before scuba diving can be very dangerous. Alcohol dehydrates your body and affects your judgment. It also increases the risk of developing decompression sickness.
Dehydration
Dehydration is a state in which the body has insufficient water to carry out its normal functions, and it can have negative effects on diving. When you’re scuba diving, your body is constantly losing water through sweat and respiration, and if you’re not adequately hydrated, you may experience dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration include fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and cramps. Dehydration can also lead to more serious problems such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.
Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it increases urine production and can cause dehydration. drinking alcohol before diving can put you at risk for dehydration, and it’s important to stay hydrated when you’re scuba diving. Be sure to drink plenty of water leading up to your dive, and bring along a water bottle to drink during your dive.
Impairment of judgment
Diving is a sport that requires a clear head and good judgment. Alcohol can impair your judgment and affect your diving performance. It’s best to avoid drinking alcohol before diving.
If you must drink, do so in moderation and allow time for the alcohol to leave your system before diving. Drinking alcohol the night before diving can increase your risk of dehydration and make it more difficult to stay warm in the water.
It’s also important to eat a nutritious meal before diving, as alcohol can cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded when you’re under the water.
Reduced coordination
Alcohol affects the central nervous system, which can lead to reduced coordination. This can be a problem when diving, as you need to be able to coordinate your movements in order to be safe underwater.
Alcohol can also cause dehydration, which can be a problem when diving as it can lead to cramping. Dehydration can also make it difficult to equalize the pressure in your ears, which can be painful and dangerous.
Slowed reaction time
Diving is already a dangerous sport, and it becomes even more dangerous when alcohol is involved. If you drink before diving, you are putting yourself and others at risk. Alcohol decreases your reaction time and judgment, both of which are essential when diving. It also dehydrates your body, which can cause problems when you are trying to descent in the water. In short, drinking before diving is a bad idea. If you must drink, do so after your dive.
How to Safely Drink before Diving
If you’re like most people, you probably like to have a good time when you’re on vacation. If you’re going scuba diving, you may be wondering if it’s okay to drink the night before. The answer is yes, you can drink before diving, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
Drink in moderation
Most people can’t drink much alcohol the night before diving and still dive safely. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it causes your body to lose water. When you’re diving, you need to be well-hydrated so you don’t get dehydrated quickly.
Divers who drink alcohol the night before diving are more likely to get dehydrated during their dive. Dehydration can cause fatigue, headaches and dizziness — all of which are dangerous when you’re diving.
If you plan to drink alcohol the night before diving, do so in moderation and make sure you drink plenty of water. It’s also a good idea to eat a meal with your drinks to help slow the absorption of alcohol into your system.
Drink plenty of water
Drinking plenty of water is always important, but it’s doubly important when diving. Dehydration can cause a whole host of problems, including muscle cramps, headaches, and fatigue. It can also exacerbate the bends, a condition caused by nitrogen bubbles that form in blood and tissues when a person rises too quickly from depth.
To avoid dehydration, drink plenty of fluids in the 24 hours leading up to your dive, and continue drinking water throughout the day of your dive. A good rule of thumb is to drink enough water so that you never feel thirsty.
Avoid sugary and caffeinated drinks
It’s best to avoid sugary and caffeinated drinks before diving, as they can dehydrate you and make you feel more tired. If you do have a cup of coffee or tea, try to drink it at least four hours before your dive so that the caffeine has time to leave your system.
When to Avoid Drinking before Diving
It’s important to be hydrated when scuba diving, but does that mean you have to give up alcohol the night before diving? While it’s best to avoid drinking alcohol before diving, there are some things you can do to minimize the risk.
If you’re feeling ill
There are a few times when diving is definitely not a good idea, and one of those is when you’re feeling ill. Most diving activities involve physical activity, and if you’re not feeling up to it, you could wind up putting yourself in danger. In addition, being sick can make it difficult to equalize your ears, which can lead to pain or perforated eardrums. If you’re feeling ill, it’s best to wait until you’re feeling better before going diving.
If you’re taking certain medications
Certain medications can put you at risk for decompression sickness, or the bends. These medications include:
- Blood thinners such as Coumadin (warfarin)
- Anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve)
- Acetazolamide (Diamox)
- Steroids such as prednisone
Talk to your doctor about your risk for decompression sickness before scuba diving.
If you’re pregnant
There is no evidence that diving is harmful to a developing baby, but many diving organizations recommend that pregnant women wait until after their baby is born to start diving. If you are pregnant and have been diving before becoming pregnant, you may continue to dive, but you should discuss this with your doctor first.