Drinking alcohol and scuba diving don’t mix because alcohol affects the body and mind in ways that can significantly increase the risks associated with diving. Some reasons are obviously, but others not so much! Here are the key reasons why consuming alcohol before or during diving is dangerous:
1. Impaired Judgment and Coordination
Alcohol impairs cognitive function, slows reaction times, and affects coordination—all of which are essential skills for safe diving. Even a small amount of alcohol can impact decision-making, making it harder to judge distances, gauge depth, and respond to changes underwater. These skills are especially crucial in the event of an emergency, where quick, clear thinking is required. A very simple fun dive can turn into a bad situation if you aren't paying close attention to your navigation, air useage, bottom time (NDL), and your buddy!
2. Dehydration
Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it increases urine production and can lead to dehydration. Dehydration thickens the blood, increasing the risk of decompression sickness (DCS) as it affects the body’s ability to process and eliminate nitrogen absorbed during a dive. Since divers are already prone to dehydration due to the nature of diving, consuming alcohol before or between dives further increases this risk.
3. Increased Risk of Nitrogen Narcosis
Nitrogen narcosis, sometimes called “Gas Narcosis” is a sensation of intoxication that can occur during deeper dives due to the effects of nitrogen under pressure on the nervous system. Since alcohol itself impairs cognitive function, drinking before a dive can intensify the effects of nitrogen narcosis, making it harder to concentrate, increasing the likelihood of risky behavior, and amplifying confusion. Even in shallower dives, where nitrogen narcosis is not a factor, alcohol’s effects on cognition make divers less capable of managing potential hazards.
4. Body Temperature Regulation
Alcohol lowers the body’s ability to regulate temperature by dilating blood vessels near the skin, which increases heat loss. Diving, especially in colder waters, already puts a strain on your body’s ability to stay warm. Drinking beforehand can make it harder to maintain a safe body temperature, increasing the risk of hypothermia, even in warmer waters.
5. Compounded Fatigue
Diving itself is physically demanding, and even more so when multiple dives are planned in a single day. The body naturally experiences some fatigue after a dive, as it processes nitrogen and manages the effects of depth and pressure. Alcohol consumption can amplify this post-dive fatigue, reducing alertness and making it harder to concentrate on tasks.
6. Increased Risk of Decompression Sickness
Alcohol can affect blood flow and circulation, which can impact the way nitrogen is absorbed and off-gassed by the body. Combined with the dehydrating effects of alcohol, this may increase the risk of decompression sickness, as nitrogen is less efficiently eliminated from the body’s tissues.
Conclusion: Don't Drink and Dive!!
The physical and cognitive demands of diving require you to be at your best. Drinking alcohol before or after a dive increases the likelihood of accidents, fatigue, hypothermia, and decompression sickness. The safest approach is to avoid drinking entirely before and immediately after diving, ensuring you’re alert, hydrated, and prepared to respond to any challenges that might arise underwater.
Its only your life! Diving should be a peaceful and fun activity, but if you aren't careful, you can get yourself into trouble. For these reasons it is not recommended to drink and dive (or take any other mind alterting substances and dive.) Diving is very safe and enjoyable, but you don't want to make a mistake that could end up costing you. Just wait until the end of the diving day to enjoy a Singha, Chang, or Leo, and you can talk about all the amazing fish and coral you saw!
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