If scuba-divers drink more water before diving they could considerably reduce their chances of decompression sickness (DCS), which in serious cases may lead to paralysis or even death.
This is the message of a diving safety campaign by Divers Alert Network (DAN) Europe, an international non-profit medical and research organisation dedicated to the safety and health of divers.
As part of the campaign, DAN met up with divers, answered questions, distributed information brochures and free water bottles in Ċirkewwa.
“Dehydration is one of the major risk factors among divers since it increases chances of decompression sickness, especially during the hot summer months. Being one of Europe’s top diving destinations, Malta attracts thousands of recreational divers from all across the world, and it is our duty to remind them about health practices to ensure they enjoy their passion as intelligently and safely as possible,” said Cristian Pellegrini, head of marketing and communications at DAN Europe.
More Water, Less Bubbles, as the campaign is called, sets out to remind scuba-divers that good hydration could significantly reduce the risk of DCS, one of the most common problems divers face.
Decompression sickness, or ‘divers’ disease’, often manifests itself as the feeling of pain, numbness and muscle weakness.
“The condition arises from nitrogen bubbles formed in the blood or body tissues when divers surface from the dive. These bubbles usually cause no problems and are typically filtered out naturally upon exhaling. However, bubbles forming in the brain or spinal cord can lead to paralysis. Divers should actively avoid diving when dehydrated and my recommendation is to drink a glass of water every 15 or 20 minutes before the dive to allow tissues to be hydrated,” said Costantino Balestra, president of the European Underwater and Baromedical Society.
DAN will be at Ċirkewwa on Saturday, August 22 and September 12.
The campaign is being organised in cooperation with the Malta Tourism Authority, Mellieħa council, Transport Malta, the Malta Police Force and Professional Diving School Association Malta.
www.daneurope.org