Your Questions About Scuba Dive Vacations
Maria asks…
Cozumel scuba diving conditions? We (spouse and two adult kids) are planning a scuba vacation March 2008.?
We have been to Cancun and the Grand Caymans. Will Cozumel be good? I read that the hurricanes have really messed up the reefs and diving is not enjoyable. True?
Tom Trindell answers:
You will have a great time diving in Cozumel. I was in Cozumel in April and then back in late August. The shallow reefs that are used for snorkeling mostly are a bit messed up, but the deeper reefs are just fine. The main problem we had in August was visibility, but our trip was scheduled a week after the hurricane hit Costa Maya and the water was still churned up. After the first 3 days the vis was back to normal. I’m form Houston and the airplane trip is only about two hours, so my wife and I frequently take trips to Cozumel to dive. I highly recommend you dive a Cenote while your in the area, as well.
William asks…
Should I scuba dive a week after I start a cold?
I started my cold last Thursday, with a sore throat that progressed into a cough and runny nose a few days ago. I have a scuba trip in the Caymans coming up, with the first dive scheduled for Saturday morning.
By the way the (mild) cold is progressing, I should be over the cold in a week, even before my flight — but online research tells me that a cough will linger for an additional week. (1) Is my vacation ruined? (2) Is there any way to improve my condition if I do dive? Thanks so much!
Tom Trindell answers:
I don’t think I would worry about it at this stage. It is certainly premature to say your vacation is ruined just because of something you found online.
You need to be over your cold well enough by the time you dive that your sinuses and ears can equalize without trouble.
When it comes to a lingering cough, the dive medicine advice is less clear-cut. I’m not a doctor, so these are just my opinions.
If you have an occasional cough triggered by a “tickle” in the back of your throat which is nonproductive (no phlegm), I believe it should be fairly safe to dive. This is probably the result of an irritated throat/airway and I don’t think would be dangerous for diving, though the cold dry scuba air may further irritate it. If you feel the urge to cough during the dive, do so through the regulator but make sure you do not ascend during the spasm because your airway will be closing involuntarily. Drink plenty of fluids to keep your throat well moisturized (as well as to avoid dehydration).
If your cough is frequent, productive, and/or feels like it comes from your chest then it might be a good idea for you to avoid diving until you improve. Congestion due to mucous in the lungs can lead to air being trapped in the alveoli, and this can cause a lung over-expansion injury if the trapped air cannot escape during ascent. You might be able to use expectorants or warm liquids like apple cider or tea with honey to help loosen up the mucous and accelerate the process of coughing it up.
Good luck. Don’t spend too much time fretting about it. Besides, even if you can’t dive for a few days you will still be on vacation – things could be worse!!
James asks…
Vacation Advice Needed! Where can I go that has both scuba diving and mountains?
My husband is a fish out of water – scuba diving, snorkelling, etc. I love the mountains – peaceful, cool, quiet. I want to go on a second Honeymoon, but I don’t want to drag him someplace or be dragged. Is there a cruise that would visit both mountains and reefs? Where should we go?
Tom Trindell answers:
Hawaii – has both. Lush tropical rain forest mountains, beautiful birds, flora and fauna. Miles of hiking trails, plus you can hike on the volcanic plateaus.
Plus some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world.
You can cruise there or fly in directly. It’s heaven on earth.
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