Diving Science Update

Excerpted from Dive Business International - 1st Quarter 2009

DIVE DIET PREP

On his web page (www.scuba-doc.com), Dr. Ernest Campbell describes the ideal diet to lead up to successful diving health.

He suggests that in the 6 - 3 days before diving, divers should build their water and carbohydrate stores, in that order. Urine must be "copious and clear" the last few days before a dive because proper hydration is thought by many to be vital to the prevention of decompression sickness.

He also prescribes that roughly 1/2 to 2/3 of your calories should be from complex carbohydrates (whole grains, pasta , veggies, fruit, etc.) depending on the intensity of the diving. If planning a full week of repetitive dives, stay closer to the 2/3 calories from carbs and eat plenty of calories.

Two days before diving, you should have plenty of water and calories in your system. If traveling, you shouldn't drink alcohol - which acts as a diuretic and directly causes dehydration - and should drink juices and water to offset the dry atmosphere of the airplane cabin.

On the day before diving, Dr. Campbell suggests you get a good night's sleep and on the first day of diving, eat a broth based soup, Jell-O, cereal, low-fat pudding, fruit, vegetables, and sports drinks. On dive days, he recommends a small breakfast at least 2 hours before the dive, avoiding high-fat muffins, doughnuts, and honey buns.

During surface intervals, the doc also suggests a sports drink or easy to eat, high-carbohydrate foods (fig bars, bananas, sports bars/gels, low-fat cookies, etc.) and plenty of liquids.

After the dive, he recommends a high-carbohydrate meal as soon as possible and eating something every couple of hours all day long if you're diving again. Beer? This diving doc warns that aocohol the few hours after a diver will not only futher dehydrate you, but will also slow the restoration process of your liver and exercising muscles.

LAST ADVICE
Just because its FREE (or included in the cost of something else) doesn't mean you have to eat it all. When on holiday in a summer clime, you need to exercise caution about living in excess. When at home, our bodies work best with a regular routine, so why when on holiday, do we acti like starving people at the buffet?

Keep in mind that you are not as acclimatized to the the rigors of underwater exertion or the physically demanding environment as you may believe.

Moderation and normalcy are the healthiest ways to help guarantee a safe dive trip, whether at home or under the tropical sun.