What is NAUIs position on drinking alcohol before and/or after Scuba Diving?
NAUI does not condone drinking alcohol prior to diving. We recommend that you do not drink alcohol before or directly following your dives and that you stay well hydrated at all times. You can find some information about these concerns in NAUI’s textbook. Among other things, alcohol “impairs alertness, coordination and judgement, and is associated with an increased risk for accidents.” Consumption of alcohol is also associtated with increased risk of DCS, nitrogen narcosis, hypothermia/hyperthermia (depending upon the environment) and dehydration. The effects of nitrogen narcosis and hypothermia can also be magnified by the effects of alcohol. Because of these risks, drinking before diving is obviously unwise. Furthermore, drinking alcohol after diving further increases the risk of dehydration following the dive and may mask the signs & symptoms of Decompression Illnesses. Hangovers are also associtated with increased susceptibility of nitrogen narcosis and may be a predisposing factor
