5 Things You Should Never Do After Diving

Learn more about the rundown of the top things we should NOT do after diving.

As certified divers, we all know how important it is to follow specific procedures before and during diving— we prepare our gear, do not eat heavy meals, organize the boat trips, and have our certification cards and logbook ready to go. But did you know that the guidelines and protocols don’t end there? Yup, you read it right! Knowing what we shouldn’t be doing AFTER diving is also essential. 

To fill the gap, here’s a quick rundown on five things you should NOT do after diving. 

FLYING AFTER DIVING
Riding an airplane is one of the most well-known things to avoid after diving. Why, you ask? It’s because of the pressure inside the airplane’s cabin. The air pressure lessens as you reach a high altitude. During a plane ride, the more the altitude increases, the more pressure decreases. The feeling is similar to when you rapidly ascend to the surface during the dive, causing the nitrogen to revert to gas bubbles, which harms the body. The general rule of thumb is to wait for 12-18 hours after a dive. 

AVOID HEAVY DRINKING AFTER DIVING
Watching sunset after finishing a fun dive calls for a good beer. But we just want to remind you that excessive drinking of alcohol can cause dehydration and delayed diagnosis of Decompression Sickness. But if you want to unwind with good adult beverages, wait a few hours post-dive, drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated then enjoy in moderation. 


GOING FOR A DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE
While there is no solid evidence that a massage might cause decompression, experts caution about having a deep tissue massage after a good dive. The general advice is to wait a few hours after you dive before having a massage. Many divers believe that massage causes increase in blood flow, which usually results to bubble formation if you have a lot nitrogen inside your body from the dive.

ZIPLINING AFTER SCUBA DIVING
This might sound weird for a newbie, but makes sense if you understand science. The main reason why ziplining should be avoided after diving is because of the altitude. Going to a higher altitude 24 hours after a dive may trigger the decompression sickness. Many ziplining companies will definitely state that people are not allowed to zipline if they dived within the past 24 hours. 

RELAXING IN A HOT TUB
Relaxing in a hot tub after a dive is definitely a no-no. We understand that after a dive you want to feel relaxed in hot bath, hot tub or even sauna. But did you know that the solubility of the gas is directly related to temperature? It means when you are submerged in a hot water, your body tissues will also get warm and this will cause formation of bubbles, which we know is a danger for decompression sickness

Photo Credits to: Maël Balland