Wetsuits and heat stress
When I wear a wetsuit in humid conditions, I get dizzy and nauseous; it feels the same as when I have motion sickness, which is a common problem for me. Why does this happen, and what can I do to prevent it?
A: Neoprene wetsuits retain moisture and heat, which likely leads to your dizziness and nausea. When a diver is fully suited and zipped up, prolonged time on the deck of a dive boat or onshore prior to entering the water can cause heat stress and exhaustion. Common symptoms are dizziness and nausea. Try to avoid fully suiting up until right before you are ready to don your buoyancy compensator and enter the water. Once out of the water after completing your dive, remove your gear and at least the top half of your wetsuit to help your body vent heat. Along with adequate hydration, limiting your time in the sun while in your wetsuit will help prevent heat stress.
— Jonathan Gilliam, EMT-P, DMT
A: Neoprene wetsuits retain moisture and heat, which likely leads to your dizziness and nausea. When a diver is fully suited and zipped up, prolonged time on the deck of a dive boat or onshore prior to entering the water can cause heat stress and exhaustion. Common symptoms are dizziness and nausea. Try to avoid fully suiting up until right before you are ready to don your buoyancy compensator and enter the water. Once out of the water after completing your dive, remove your gear and at least the top half of your wetsuit to help your body vent heat. Along with adequate hydration, limiting your time in the sun while in your wetsuit will help prevent heat stress.
— Jonathan Gilliam, EMT-P, DMT
Posted in Alert Diver Fall Editions, Dive Safety FAQ, Dive Safety Tips
Tagged with Wetsuits, Hydration, humidity, Dizziness, Nausea, Motion sickness, Heat stress, Exhaustion
Tagged with Wetsuits, Hydration, humidity, Dizziness, Nausea, Motion sickness, Heat stress, Exhaustion
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