Keeping the body hydrated is always crucial for its proper functioning. Correct hydration while diving is even more essential if we consider that, while diving, we do liquid exchanges inside our body, which do not take place on the surface.
Why Maintaining Proper Hydration While Diving Is Vital?
Our body’s water and minerals help us to regulate temperature, eliminate waste and lubricate the joints. They are crucial for the functioning of every cell in our body. Without water, the heart and kidneys would stop.
When we become dehydrated, our physical performance decreases, fatigue and confusion increase, the level of consciousness is affected, even in severe cases of dehydration, shock, or death could happen. While it is true these consequences can affect anyone, dehydration, in addition, increases the scuba diver’s risk of suffering a Decompressive Illness (DE)
This is the reason. In addition to having impaired faculties, a dehydrated diver will suffer a reduction in blood plasma, which is closely related to gas exchange. The slowed blood flow will slow down the rate at which our body removes dissolved nitrogen, and we already know what happens when nitrogen molecules remain inside our body and we ascend. Don’t we?
How Do We Get Dehydrated When We Dive?
First of all, we will say that when we eliminate more liquid than we drink, dehydration happens. So, not only do we lose water but also lasting minerals. Therefore, we need to drink enough water, as well as avoid, as far as possible, unnecessary losses to maintain hydration while diving.
According to DAN, three things increase a diver’s dehydration.