It’s ironic that the sport that has us surrounded by water can cause us to lose it. Here at Island Divers Hawaii we’ve seen a lot of dehydration in our time, which can be dangerous given all of the environmental factors that are already in place to cause it. Diving in tropical settings where the water is warm and the air temperature is even warmer, where humidity is high and the tendency to party is even higher, creates the perfect setting for dehydration.
The Many Benefits of Water
No matter what you do in life, it is essential to keep the body hydrated, as we depend on water for survival. More than half of our body weight is made of water, and it is an integral part of the healthy functioning of every cell, tissue, and organ in the body. Water helps to regulate our body temperature, remove waste, lubricate joints, and enhance our cardiovascular abilities.
The Alcohol Challenge
Vacations often call for a lot of drinking. Beer, margaritas, and other alcoholic beverages are surefire candidates for draining you of moisture, as they are diuretics and increase the need to urinate, which creates a loss of fluid.
Perspiring
Perspiration is another factor in water loss. You don’t come to Hawaii for the cool weather – here you’ll sweat on land and in a wetsuit with all that neoprene. The longer your wear your suit when out of the water, the more water you’ll lose. And of course, as perspiration dries on your skin, water is lost.
Breathing from a SCUBA tank and Sunburn
You will certainly lose water in your body when you breathe the highly filtered, dry, compressed air from a scuba tank. In addition, if you get sunburned, internal fluids rush to the area, causing moisture loss.
Salt Water, Water Pressure, Seasickness
As salt water evaporates on your skin, it leaves small crystals, which will attract water molecules and hold them captive. We also tend to urinate a lot when we dive because the water pressure and temperature increase blood flow around organs, which makes the body want to flush fluids out by inducing urination. In addition, if you’re prone to seasickness, vomiting will surely dehydrate you.
Staying Hydrated
No matter your activity level, it is imperative that you habitually drink as much water as possible. Just drinking before or after diving isn’t enough, as the body only absorbs so much water at a time. The body needs to be in a constantly hydrated state.
Alternatives to Water
If good old H2O isn’t your thing, drink caffeine-free beverages like fresh juice, powdered drink mixes, or hydrating fluids like Pedialyte, which you can mix with water and chill. Avoid
coffee, soda, stimulating energy drinks, and alcohol, which are all counterproductive. And never, ever dive hung over!
Knowing When You’re Dehydrated
You know you’re dehydrated when your mouth is dry, you have a headache, you’re very thirsty, sleepy, confused, dizzy or lightheaded, weak, or have cramps. Being dehydrated can contribute to decompression sickness when coming up from a dive, along with a host of other problems. Don’t wait for this. Drink often and plentifully.
Dive Smart and Safe
For more information on staying healthy and fit during your scuba diving vacation, contact us today at: www.oahuscubadiving.com .
