The Diver’s Diet
The underwater activities
put the human body in an unfriendly environment. In order to cope with
it, the diver should have stable preparation. It is a well-known fact that
after a hearty meal, human reflexes are slower than usual. This is due
to the increased blood flow to the digestive organs and to the changes
in the neuro-muscular activity. That is why the diver’s eating habits in
the prediving period are very important. There is no particular diet but
the diver should avoid food that is difficult to be digested. Those who
prepare their menu according to calorific tables should know that the loss
of energy while working under water becomes 4,000 to 5,000 kilocalories.
It
is recommended that on the day before the dive fried food be avoided. On
the day of the dive, food should be taken at least two hours prior to entering
the water. The menu should include only boiled meat, garnish and no fats.
Fruits should be peeled and melons must not be consumed. Beer or other
alcoholic drinks are totally forbidden. If the diver is in a competition
period, he should take additional vitamins. It is also recommended to have
a cup of coffee or tea with a biscuit, or a bar of chocolate right after
the dive.
Diver’s Hygiene
In order to prevent certain
illnesses, divers should be very careful while cleaning their equipment.
After the dive, the swimming suit, the fins, the mask and the neoprene
suit should be very carefully washed with soap and dried before putting
them into the sports bag. Special attention should be paid to the disinfection
of the mouthpiece and the snorkel.
Diver’s Daily Routine
It is well-known that the
human organism gets used to a particular rhythm of activity. Observing
a strict daily routine creates a conditional reflex and the organism prepares
itself for further activity. That is why the hours for waking up, eating,
diving, resting and sleeping should be strictly observed.
The breaking of the diver’s
daily habits can result in serious damage to his or her physical and psychological
well-being and lead to dangerous consequences while under water. If a diver
feels sick, after sleepleessness, overeating, drinking alcohol, etc. diving
should be avoided. |