How to Stay Healthy During Dive Trips: 12 Essential Tips
Scuba Diving is a sport that is very physically demanding. The fitter and healthier you are the safer your dive trip will be. This also improves your enjoyment. In this blog post I will give you tips on what you can do to stay healthy during your dive trips that go beyong eating healthy. Which is in important part as well of course.
Why Health Matter on Dive Trips
Diving Is More Physically Demanding Than Many People Think
If you are not new to diving you know from personal experience that diving uses a lot of energy. You also need to be strong enough to carry around all of your equipment which gets heavy fast.
Good Health Improves Dive Safety
There are multiple upsides in being physically fit while scuba diving. Your air consumption gets better, so you can stay underwater longer. Being fit mentally also improves your decision-making, which we know is an important part of diving. Last but not least you will have a lower risk of fatigue during dives when you stay fit.
Hydration Is Your Best Friend
Breathing dry compressed air and other factors dehydrates your body. You will feel a mild dehydrationt by having a dry throat after a dive. DAN suggest you drink a glass of water every 15-20 minutes instead of drinking a litre of water just before or after the dive. You should drink around 2 more litres of water than usual during a dive day.
Eat Foods That Fuel Your Dives
Your diet is a very important part of staying healthy. Before our dive make sure to eat a light breakfast but with enough protein to keep you full for a long time. Between dives fruits and nuts are good snacks. Basically anything that gives you a lot of energy. Drink electrolytes after your dives and eat meals that make you refuel your body and mind. This should not be junk food but something like rice bowls with different toppics, pasta with vegetable-sauces or make wraps filled with proteins, fibres and vitamins. As always: Make sure your meals are balanced.
Get Enough Sleep Before Every Dive Day
Poor sleep not only effects the energy that your body has but also your deciding making and your reaction time. So if you know you have an early morning dive the next day, eat dinner early enough to give your body time to digest the food and then to go bed at a reasonable time. If you know you have problems sleeping taking something with melatonin in it can help. Also make sure you are comfortable where you’re staying. Maybe bring your own pillow or some lavender oil to calm yourself down.
Protect Your Ears
As soon as you get problems with your ears your dive holidays are as good as over. Taking care of your ears starts during the dive: equalize early and often. After every dive make sure you’re drying your ears. If you feel like you can’t get all the water out, you can buy some ear drops and put those in your ears after each dive. This will help prevent infections and cleans our your ears.
Pro Tip: During longer boat rides make sure to keep your hood/hairband on and over your ears so the wind can’t get into your wet ears.
Take Care of Your Skin
Staying healthy also means taking care of your skin. Diving while being sunburnt is no fun. So make sure to put on reef-safe sunscreen and wear sun-protective clothing. After a long day of diving and being in the (salt-)water moisturizer help to keep your skin nice and itch-free.
Avoid Alcohol and Limit Caffeine
This should be selfexplanatory but never drink alcohol before a dive. Alcohol not only leads to dehydration but also impacts your decisionmaking underwater – even if it’s *just* one beer. Caffeine is alright but make sure to limit your intake to a minimum.
Stay Physically Fit
Doing a lot of cardio training benefits your body underwater as well. Your body is more flexible and the stronger you are, the less oxygen you use. When staying fit you also have an advantage when it comes to the strength you need for carrying equipment and tanks.
Practice Good Hygiene While Traveling
This point maily comes down to avoid getting sick during your holidays. So make sure to wash your hands with soap regularly and bring hand sanitizer. Another point is to only drink water when it’s safe and avoid food poisoning.
Pack a Small Dive Health Kit
A small health kit might come in handy for minor injuries. A health kit could include: motion sickness medication, electrolytes, pain reliever, bandages, ear drops, after sun, insect repellent, any other medication you might need.
Listen to Your Body
Know when to skip a dive. Even when you really want to go. But when you feel too tired, are in pain or feel sick, skip the dive.
Recover Properly After Diving
Diving makes hungry so eat well after a dive and rehydrate with enough water and maybe even electrolytes. Rest and stretch during your dive breaks and wait until you’re energized enough for your next dive.
Conclusion
It is important to have healthy habits before, during and after dives. Prepare ahead by bringing a health kit and include sports to your daily life beforehand. By beeing prepared you can enjoy your dive trip more comfortable and safer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I avoid getting sick during a dive trip?
Stay hydrated, eat balanced meals, sleep well, protect your ears, and avoid alcohol before diving.
Should you drink lots of water before scuba diving?
Yes. Divers should stay well hydrated throughout the day, but avoid drinking excessive amounts immediately before entering the water.
What foods are best before scuba diving?
Choose light meals with complex carbohydrates and lean protein while avoiding heavy, greasy foods.
Can you scuba dive when you’re tired?
It’s best not to. Fatigue can impair judgment, reduce focus, and increase the risk of accidents underwater.
Is alcohol safe during a dive vacation?
Avoid alcohol before diving and limit it afterward, as it contributes to dehydration and can slow recovery.
