Many people take over the counter drugs for a variety of minor illnesses. Since these drugs do not require a physician’s prescription, many people forget these drugs can have some serious side effects. Any drug, whether prescribed or over the counter can and do have side effects that should be monitored, especially if the person is going to be doing any diving. Decongestants are one particular OTC drug that may seem like a logical one to take before a dive if you are experiencing cold symptoms, but they are actually detrimental for SCUBA diving for a few reasons.
Nervousness and Jitters
Decongestants can make a patient jittery and nervous. People that experience nervousness and the jitters can affect the length of time their air tank supply will last, and they may even find themselves shallow breathing, which can lead to hyperventilation.
Difficulty Sleeping
A diver needs to be able to concentrate and think clearly. Since these drugs are known to cause sleeplessness, a diver could find themselves tired and groggy due to not being able to get sufficient rest. This kind of fatigue can muddle their thinking process. Divers rely on the ability to respond quickly and think clear to prevent injuries to themselves and others.
Increased Heart Rate
Decongestants are linked to marked increase in heart rate. When diving, the heart rate tends to naturally increase. Decongestants also increase the heart rate, so the combination of the two factors can have serious health implications. Increased heart rate and shortness of breath can be a deadly combination below the surface.
Decongestants serve the purpose of clearing the nasal passages. There are posted indications for when it is not safe to use these drugs, where you probably won’t find SCUBA diving listed. But as a general rule, when diving, it is best not to take a decongestant, instead postponing the dive until the necessity for them is no longer a factor. Since every person responds differently to drugs, it is important that you be sure you understand how your body reacts to decongestants before attempting to dive or participate in any underwater activities.
