You should think about the possibility of a painful muscle cramp before and while diving. Cramps can be distracting and painful, but they can also generate uneasiness in the water, which can lead to other issues. If you do feel cramping during scuba diving, however, there are measures you may do to alleviate the discomfort.
In the case of Cramp, What Should You Do?
The first thing you should do if you have a cramp is to tell your diving companion. In that manner, the other person will be able to aid you in solving your issue. The next step is to achieve neutral buoyancy through proper breathing. Proper execution of this requires prior experience with buoyancy training. Third, to relieve the discomfort from a cramped muscle, stretch and massage it. Keep massaging the sore spot until you feel some relief. Calf cramps can be relieved by rubbing the muscle, or by having your dive buddy massage your calf for you. Grab the tip of your fin and pull it towards you.
Massage After Diving : Advice on Preventing Muscle Cramps
Eliminating muscular cramps underwater requires some practice and knowledge. Keep in mind the fundamentals of diving that you learned then. Finding a place to sit, relax, and massage your muscles is essential if you plan on diving close to the ocean floor. Corals are not places to have a seat.
Overexertion or general lack of fitness leads to muscle cramps. Pay close attention to how you feel the entire time you’re underwater. To begin scuba diving, you need to be in excellent physical condition.
Scuba diving is inherently dangerous and can result in significant injury or even death if you are not properly prepared. Never dive without first completing training at an approved dive facility and keeping your equipment in good working order. You should not go SCUBA diving if you are not prepared to risk your life or the lives of others.
Extra Precautions to Take to Prevent Muscle Spasms
The obvious solution is to avoid the problem altogether. Here are some other strategies for warding off muscular cramps.
- Fitness. Try to improve your physical condition. Muscle cramps are less likely to happen when you have a basic fitness level.
- Alcohol. If you want to go scuba diving, don’t consume alcohol for at least 12 hours beforehand.
- Water. The lack of fluids in your body is a major contributor to cramping. The average person has to drink at least three litres of water every day, and that number rises to six litres if you’re going scuba diving in a warmer region.
- Sleep. You should get plenty of sleep before going scuba diving. After a heavy night of drinking, scuba diving is not the best idea. Getting a good night’s sleep before going scuba diving will do wonders for your confidence.
- Bananas. Eat a couple of bananas before you go diving. Due to their high potassium content, bananas can help reduce cramping by preventing the buildup of sodium in the blood.
