How to Prevent Hypoxia While Scuba Diving

Though hypoxia can affect scuba divers at sea level, it's more prevalent when altitude diving. Since the air at high altitudes has less pressure than at sea level, you inhale fewer oxygen molecules when breathing the air. If your body doesn't get enough oxygen to meet its demands, hypoxia can set in. A few precautions before and after your dive will help your avoid this condition.

Instructions

    • 1

      Limit your activity and rest often when you haul scuba equipment and head to the dive site. Allow extra time to get ready and take more trips carrying less equipment to help you avoid over-exerting yourself at altitudes.

    • 2

      Put on your equipment and sit down for a short rest before entering the water. Make sure you are at normal respiration before diving.

    • 3

      Rest and catch your breath underwater before you surface if you exert yourself too much while diving.

    • 4

      Surface slowly when altitude diving to avoid a quick return to the thin air. You experience increased pressure while underwater, so your body easily gets enough oxygen during the dive. Rising slowly to the surface not only helps you avoid hypoxia but decompression sickness as well.

    • 5

      Take a few days to acclimatize yourself when you prepare to dive at high altitudes. If you live at a high altitude or spend a lot of time there, your body adapts quickly, making hypoxia less likely. However, if you normally live close to sea level, give your body a few days to get adjusted to the thinner air.