Dangers of Dehydration During Scuba Diving
It is amazing that dehydration can be a life-threatening problem when a scuba diver encircled by millions of gallons of water.
When a diver doesn't have enough water throughout the body, the problem of dehydration occurs.
The problem is created because water is needed for a dozen necessary biochemical processes and biophysical systems. Bottom line is the body cannot function without water and you don't have to be biology major to realize that fact.
Cells in your body cannot carry out basic chemical reactions with out water. Body tissues requires liquids to stay plump and flexible. Water is required in the production of blood and the keeps the flow of blood traveling throughout the cardiovascular system.
We can lose water out of body by sweating or urination, but we lose most of the water out of body by simply breathing.
By just breathing normally, we expel considerable amount of moisture into the air. Try breathing close to a piece of glass; you will see all of the moisture collect on the surface to the glass.
You will see an acceleration of this effect when breathing underwater. This happens because the air in scuba tanks are considerable drier than air on the surface. Moisture flows from wetter areas to drier areas.
The effect on the body's blood and muscle tissues because of lowered body fluid concentration can be a potentially serious problem. The blood flow is reduced in the tissues when the body is dehydrated. This causes a direct effect on the body's ability to absorb and the release of nitrogen.
This can certainly change the time needed to perform a safe ascent.
A diver has to ascend in an orderly way at a rate no higher than 30 feet per minute. If the diver ascend at a higher rate decompression sickness may occur. The diver may even want to have several stops at different levels on the way up to avoid decompression sickness.
If a controlled ascend at a recommended rate is not some, than the alternative is "the bends". With the "bends" you will suffer with joint pain, body cramps in the legs, arms, stomach, and more unpleasant consequences.
Nitrogen has to be released at a proper rate during an ascent. If not, than the ascent will take longer, and worst yet, your oxygen may run out. An unpleasant case of dilemma may happen if your oxygen runs out.
Although dehydration can cause less harm, it is unpleasant enough to avoid at all costs. Dehydration can cause you to become fatigue faster thus shortening your dive. You will wear out quicker because dehydration causes lower blood flow which makes your heart pump faster.
Is it hard to achieve the proper level of hydration before and after a dive?
No, it is fairly easy.
The secret of proper level of hydration during a dive is pretty much the same as it is on surface.
Drink plenty of water or a sport drink. It is like physical activity on the surface; the warmer the weather drink more water, the longer the dive drink more water. You don't want to drink water or sport drink all at once. Drink over longer period of time to give your body a chance to fully adsorb the fluid without overwhelming the kidneys.
There are also things to avoid. Did not drink several hours before a dive caffeinated liquids like coffee or colas soft drinks. Common sense will tell you that you shouldn't drink any alcoholic beverages for several hours before or after a dive. That sounds like a party pooper, because it is better to be alive than dead.
If you want to enjoy scuba diving in the future, dive safely and always use common sense.