DRINKING & DIVING
Scuba diving and drinking alcohol do not mix and can be extremely dangerous. It is strongly advised to avoid consuming alcohol before or during scuba diving activities. Here's why:
1. Impaired judgment and coordination: Alcohol impairs your cognitive abilities, coordination, and decision-making skills. Scuba diving requires focus, concentration, and quick reactions, which are compromised under the influence of alcohol. Impaired judgment can lead to poor decision-making underwater, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries.
2. Dehydration and increased decompression risk: Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it promotes fluid loss from your body. Scuba diving already dehydrates your body due to breathing dry air and the exertion involved. Combining alcohol-induced dehydration with the dehydrating effects of diving can lead to an increased risk of decompression sickness (the bends).
3. Masking symptoms and delayed response: Alcohol can mask symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, and nitrogen narcosis that are important indicators of potential problems while diving. This can prevent you from recognizing and responding to dangerous situations in a timely manner.
4. Increased nitrogen absorption: Alcohol can increase the absorption of nitrogen into your tissues, making you more susceptible to nitrogen narcosis and decompression sickness. These conditions can impair your judgment and potentially lead to life-threatening situations underwater.
5. Increased risk of accidents: Alcohol impairs motor skills, balance, and reaction time. This increases the risk of accidents, such as entanglement, gear malfunctions, or inability to respond effectively to emergencies.
It is essential to prioritize safety when scuba diving. If you plan to dive, it is strongly recommended to abstain from consuming alcohol for a significant period before your dive, typically at least 24 hours in accordance with recognized diving safety guidelines. Always follow the guidelines set by your dive training organization and ensure you are in a fit and sober state to dive.
BEST TO JUST NOT DRINK & DIVE