What Not to Do After a Dive
Divers are a varied bunch, some will want to rest and relax after a day full of diving, while others will want to use a dive as a springboard to their next adventure. No matter what camp you fall into, there are a few things that you shouldn’t do after a dive. Anything that inhibits your body’s ability to “off-gas” or convert nitrogen should be avoided. This can include behaviors you may be well aware of avoiding, such as flying or other activities at altitude.
In general, divers should avoid activities that will present large changes in altitudes such as flying, ziplining, hiking, and mountain climbing. Avoiding excessive amounts of diuretics, such as alcohol, is also a good idea. Below, we’ve compiled a complete list of three tips to use when thinking of activities to avoid after a dive strip. And, because we here at Dive Maui like to stay positive, we’ve also included a brief list of things we highly encourage anyone to do after a dive—with no worries necessary. So, without further ado, let’s dive into it!
Three Tips of What to Avoid After SCUBA Diving
Keep the following three tips of what to avoid in mind when recovering from your latest dive trip.
1. Don’t Be a Party Animal
Some people are so exhilarated by a good dive that all they want to do is celebrate. And while enjoying a drink or two on the beach may seem like a harmless way to unwind after a dive, in reality, alcohol is best avoided in the hours after a dive. Not only does ingesting adult beverages alter your body’s ability to convert nitrogen, but drinking will also dehydrate you—the opposite of what you want when recovering from a vigorous dive.
2. Avoid Altitudes
After a dive, you will be more at risk for decompression sickness. This risk is even more acute if you start to rise in altitude away from sea level. This makes any activity that will bring you to an increased altitude a risky one for those recovering from a SCUBA session. Divers will want to avoid activities such as hang gliding, rollercoasters, ziplining, flying, rock climbing, and anything else that may take them to an increased height.
3. Don’t Get Too Hot
Avoid over-heating, be it via over-exertion or soaking in a hot bath or shower. While baking in a sauna or boiling in a hot tub may seem harmless, it can actually impact your body’s circulation system. For this reason, it’s best to avoid extreme heat until a day after you’ve dived.
What to Do After a Dive
The following three tips should help anyone recover from a dive simply and safely.
1. Take Time to Relax
It can be hard to schedule time for pure relaxation, but such decompression time is vital for recovery from a dive. Especially if you are new to diving or have undertaken extended or rigorous dives, be sure to allow your body ample time for rest and recuperation. Dress comfortably, keep your body loose and warm, and enjoy non-strenuous activities.
2. Don’t Forget to Hydrate!
One of the most acute risks that any water-based activity has is dehydration. Most people don’t stop to drink water in the middle of their dive. This is why hydrating afterwards is of chief importance.
3. Listen to Your Body!
No one knows your body better than you, so if you feel like something is up after a dive, be sure to listen to your instincts. This is why it is important to avoid being impaired after a dive, you’ll want to be of sound mind if you suddenly start experiencing symptoms that could be simple indigestion or something much worse. Take it easy and pay attention to what your body is telling you when considering what you’re up for after a day full of diving.
We’re Always Here to Help!
In conclusion, any diver can use the above tips and tricks to safely off-gas after their next dive. By avoiding altitude, taking it easy, hydrating, and listening to your body, you’ll ensure a successful recovery process. And, of course, this can be a lot of information to take in, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of certified diving pros with any questions or concerns you may have.
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading our tips for successful after-diving recovery and that you’ve learned something new along the way. Please don’t hesitate to reach out, we here at Dive Maui would be happy to help you with any SCUBA, snorkeling, or whale watching needs you may have. Until the next time, when we see you in Maui County, Aloha!
