Why is it a bad idea to be intoxicated and dive?

[scubasteven45]

My buddy drinks heavily at night knowing the next day he wants to go diving. I have heard that this is not good but I can't tell him that. Please help me explian to him why this is not a good idea or is it?

[Damselfish]

Drinking is dehydrating, which is a contributing factor to DCS.

Diving while impaired (whether drunk, hungover, tired, whatever) is a bad idea. You may be impaired by narcosis as it is, you don't want to add to that. Diving is a pretty safe sport, but there are still a variety of ways to hurt or kill yourself.

[Lone Frogman]

Find a new dive buddy.

[somewhereinla]

The effect of alcohol or drugs will intensify a great deal as you go at depth. Look at your open water book, it's all explained in details. Diving with a buddy that drinks is not a good idea.

[Scuba-Bill]

Originally Posted by Lone Frogman

Find a new dive buddy.

While a new dive buddy might be in your future. Talk to your friend, when he is sober, and give him the facts. Let him know that you can't dive with him if he continues to endanger the both of you.

Do a google search on 'drunk diving' and it will pull up some links that talk about issues related to drinking and diving.

If your buddy refuses to adjust his distructive ways, then it may be time for a new dive buddy.

Good luck,

[Charlotte Smith]

I totally agree! We actually had a couple of guys that would come on our boat and actually drink just before diving! We gave them the boot on the dives and told them we didn't mind the beer afterwards but NOT before! Who knows when you are going to act quickly in case of a problem...and I for one don't want to be put in that position.

[Aussie]

Ever dived with Russians? The water in their water bottle isnt water! Special Russian water. They say its anti freeze.

Aussie

[cudachaser]

Hey you drink and fly in space!

[creggur]

Tell him you'll celebrate the next day AFTER the dive...A drink or 2 the night before is probably no big deal, but it does effect everyone differently. If he's getting hammered the night before a dive that's something you need to address..

I mean if he's your dive buddy don't you want him at 100% in case you need his help for some reason...

[cummings66]

I'd suggest he's a drunk if he thinks it's ok to drink and dive and doesn't see the problems with it when sober. Is he sober for long?

Personally I'd give him a chance to shape up and the boot if he doesn't. Don't cut them slack, your life as well as his are on the line if he's not sober.