One of the questions that every diving beginner asks is “What if I start vomiting underwater during a dive?”
Everything that can be done on land can also be done under water, so practically it is possible to vomit in the regulator there. But it’s not bad to repeat what you should do if you get sick while diving. So Scuba Diving Corner brings you a brief overview of what to do in such a situation.
Naturally, if you suffer from seasickness, you are more likely to be sick already on the boat you are going with on a diving adventure. In that case, the best thing you can do is throw yourself into the water as soon as you reach your desired destination. Namely, when you are already in the water, seasickness usually disappears because you move in line with the water, instead of swinging on it. When underwater, the diver will feel the difficulty, if he suffers from seasickness, possibly near or on the surface itself. Especially if it’s wavy weather. As for other causes of nausea when diving, this includes dizziness. Incomplete pressure equalization or indigestion spoiled by bad food. Especially if you have eaten very spicy food in various exotic destinations.
Five short steps (tips) that all divers should follow if they get sick underwater
Do not remove the regulator from the mouth
After vomiting, the person reflexively asks for air to inhale. Therefore, if the regulator is out of the mouth, it may happen that the person does not have enough time to return it immediately after vomiting. Instead, the diver should hold the regulator and vomit into it. This will not contaminate the air that the diver gets. Rather, the vomit will simply come out through the valve along with the exhaled air. The first inhalation after vomiting should be performed as slowly as possible, so as not to inhale any remnants of vomiting.
Clean the regulator after vomiting
When vomiting underwater, the diver can use the purge switch to fill the second stage of the regulator with air. And thus expel all possible debris from it.
Be prepared to switch to another air source
Depending on the last meal and the method of chewing, the vomit can be of very different content. It is therefore possible that bigger pieces of food block the mouthpiece of the regulator and partially, or even completely close it. In that case, use your octopus, but also finish the dive. Because it’s not safe to keep diving with just one regulator, both for you and your diving partner.
Stop diving if nausea persists
After vomiting underwater, you often feel better because the nausea stops and the diver feels able to continue the dive. But if nausea doesn’t subside, it’s time to get back to the surface.
Wash or have the second stage of the controller serviced
Sometimes the hardest part of vomiting is admitting to someone that you did it. However, the vomit from the regulator must be thoroughly cleaned or even serviced if there is any residue in it. The diver must swallow his pride and inform the authorities about it. Especially if he rents a regulator. To be 100 percent sure that the regulator is clean and completely safe for future diving.
Vomiting underwater is certainly never fun. But like most unpleasant situations in life, it can have its positive moments. For example, fish “like” vomit, and a diver who vomits underwater can very quickly find himself surrounded by a school of various fish who want to share his last meal with them.
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This was a very very helpful article.
Thank you.
Thank you for reading Jerry!