Don’t do this after a Dive!

s divers, we usually focus a lot on the time before and during the dive. We check our equipment, we make sure our insurance is in order and we have our certification cards and logbook ready to go. On the trip we listen to briefings, follow the rules and make sure to dive safely within the limits of our training and experience. But what about after the dive?

At MolaMola Diving Center we operate to the highest PADI Diving Standards and we are happy to advise you on how to dive safe around Muscat, Oman. Therefore we don’t recommend you to do these 7 things after a dive:

Fly Flying after scuba diving is one of the more widely known risks to divers. The pressure in a plane’s cabin is comparable to a fast ascension while diving. This increases the chance of decompression sickness. The general rule is to wait 24 hours to fly after diving. Read here more about this topic
Travel to Altitude You may be surprised to discover that driving or hiking to high mountains puts you at the same risk for Decompression Sickness (DCS) as flying in an airplane. Mountain climbing should be avoided in the first 24 hours after a dive. If you are planning to also go mountain climbing and scuba diving, go mountain climbing first to avoid any potential DCS risk. It is perfectly safe to go climbing before a dive and this is an easy solution to stay safe.
Exercise Currently, no study has established any links between exercising after diving and an increased risk of decompression sickness. However the general recommendation is to avoid strenuous exercise immediately after diving regardless.
Take a hot bath It is recommended to stay away from hot tubbing for at least 12 hours after scuba diving. As the body warms up and circulation improves, there is an increased chance of bubble formation.
Drink Alcohol There might be nothing better than an ice-cold beer after diving, but drinking alcohol after diving is not recommended. Alcohol may affect the way the body eliminates excess nitrogen in the blood. Dehydration is also one of the main causes of decompression sickness, and we all know alcohol is the best way to get dehydrated fast. Try to wait at least a few hours after diving to have a drink, and save your heavy drinking for a time when you’re not diving.
Freediving after Scuba Diving There is still nitrogen in your body from the scuba dive and going to depth again and ascending quickly could affect the off-gassing and trigger DCS. As a general rule it is recommended to wait 24 hours before freediving after doing any type of diving. This rule covers all types of dives and adds extra time as a safeguard for peace of mind.
Not to rinse your gear As tempting as it may be to leave your equipment care until later, don’t do it! Even if you forget for a minute how much of your hard earned cash you invested in your beloved gear, if left without rinsing, salt water can cause crystal build up on vital pieces of gear and potentially can affect its safe operation. Just 5 minutes of after care can extend the life of your gear as well as reducing the frequency of equipment servicing you need.

But hey, don’t worry – there are plenty of things that you can still do after a dive. Have your logbook signed, talk about what you saw during the dive, interact with the locals and get to know the Omani culture and lifestyle. Go to explore Muscat or just enjoy a nice dinner after the dive to share your experiences with family and friends.