Hydration safety campaign for divers held at Cirkewwa

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.

On Saturday, as part of the campaign, DAN met up with divers, answered questions, distributed information brochures and free water bottles in Cirkewwa.

“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 & 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 decompression sickness (DCS), which is one of the most common problems divers face.

The Divers’ Alert Network said that 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,” says Prof Costantino Balestra, President of the European Underwater and Baromedical Society (EUBS).

Following today’s success, DAN will also be at Cirkewwa on Saturday, the 18th of July, the 22nd of August and the 12th of September.

For more information about Divers’ Alert Network (DAN) visit the website: www.daneurope.org.