Having a shower after diving aids in clearing the skin of any salt, sand, or dirt. In addition to that, it aids in muscular relaxation and lowers the risk of muscle cramps or an injury after a strenuous dive.
However, we need to explore this issue more thoroughly so that you may fully comprehend why this tradition is so favored by professional divers. In this article, we’ll look at the reasons for post-dive showering and its significance for divers. Let’s jump in!
Reasons Behind the Tradition of Showering After Diving
Divers, particularly Olympic divers, usually crawl out of the diving pool and make their way to the shower. The question is: why do they shower after diving?
Let’s see what happens to our bodies after a hot shower following a dive!
Relaxation
When we think of hot showers, the first thing that comes to mind is relaxation! This provides an answer to the question “Why do they shower after diving?”
Divers, especially after competitions, enjoy standing under a hot shower. They apply a shower in order to stay warm, keep their muscles loose, and de-stress after a brief period of activity in a sport where they are only active for a short amount of time.
In addition to the health benefits of showering after they exit the pool, divers need to feel comfortable before their next dive. A hot shower increases mental fortitude and mentally readies you for the following dive.
It may be different if you’re diving in the sea while wearing a wetsuit since it keeps your body warm.
Keeping the Muscles Warm
Divers take a shower after leaving the pool in order to keep their muscles relaxed and warm. This is yet another answer to the question: “Why do they shower after diving?”
Typically, the pool temperature and external temperature differ. The air is usually around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, while the water temperature is around 80 degrees. Therefore, in order to maintain body temperature and keep their muscles healthy, divers must take a hot shower. A sudden temperature loss may induce muscle tightness.
Maintaining Healthy Skin and Hair
The final explanation for why divers take a shower after diving is to wash the chlorine off their skin and hair.
Strong chlorine in water might irritate your eyes and dry up your skin and hair. Also, according to PubMed Health, frequently swimming in chlorinated water can result in melanoma, one of the most serious forms of skin cancer.
This means that chlorine has negative health impacts in addition to making your skin feel sticky and less gliding. This is another solution to the inquiry, “Why do they shower after diving?”
Why Do They Shower After Diving? Some Additional Reasons
As we’ve previously mentioned, divers take a shower after a dive to relax, keep their muscles warm, and preserve healthy skin and hair.
However, there are several additional explanations for why divers shower after diving:
Cleaning the Diving Equipment
Unlike Olympic diving, other types of diving, such as freediving or scuba diving, call for a larger collection of diving gear.
Your gear calls for cleaning after each dive before being stored. As a result, in addition to keeping their body temperature warm, many divers take showers with their equipment in order to thoroughly clean it before storing. They must be responsible for their own safety and cleaning of their gear.
Divers wear lens-equipped masks that allow them to see underwater, and these must be cleaned after use to prevent scratches.
Filters can be found in the air compressors that provide oxygen to divers. If sand or dirt enters one of these devices, an accident could result.
Rinsing Off Salt Water
As you have undoubtedly already discovered, salt water can result in a variety of skin issues. The most typical ones are infections, inflammation, and irritation. Rinsing off as soon as you can after each dive or snorkel session is the simplest strategy to avoid these issues.
For those who prefer diving in salt water, this is the most straightforward response to the question, “Why do they shower after diving?”
Helps in People With Decompression Sickness
Decompression sickness (DCS) is a syndrome caused by a sudden decrease in pressure. This is particularly typical in older divers since their bodies accumulate more nitrogen over time. The longer you dive, the more likely you are to get this disease – nonetheless, it can affect anyone at any level of diving performance.
To limit your chances of acquiring this condition, shower before each dive and immediately after each dive, regardless of whether you show signs or not.
Why Do They Shower After Diving? Final Thoughts
Many people like watching Olympic diving competitions. But have you ever thought about why they shower after diving?
First, post-dive showers can be calming, assisting in muscular relaxation, joint pain, and muscle soreness reduction. Post-dive showers will also help in mental relaxation and stress relief.
Secondly, post-dive showers may aid in the prevention of certain ailments and the removal of salt water from the body. Additionally, divers must clean their equipment, particularly if they are utilizing freediving masks for deeper diving. It’s beneficial and safer to keep your diving equipment clean.
Overall, post-dive showers provide a number of advantages and are becoming a popular and significant practice among divers.
Keep reading The Coastal Side for more in-depth details on fishing, diving, surfing, boarding, and other popular sports and activities.
