Essential for divers: breathing and… drinking!
Summer, sun, diving – why drinking is so important in Dahab
Summer in Dahab has its own unique charm: dry, warm air, cloudless skies and a crystal-clear Red Sea that invites you to dive in. Everything feels light and relaxed – perfect conditions for an unforgettable diving holiday in Egypt.
But it is precisely in this environment that an often underestimated danger lurks: dehydration. And this affects divers in particular.
Dehydration: More than just a dry throat
When you’re on holiday, you rarely think about drinking. You hardly sweat visibly, you’re often in the water and you actually feel fit. But that can be deceptive. Your body is constantly losing fluid – through evaporation, breathing and the pressure in your wetsuit.
The result? Headaches, circulatory problems or sudden fatigue are not uncommon and can spoil the fun of diving. It becomes particularly unpleasant when heat exhaustion sets in – a consequence of insufficient fluid intake combined with high exposure to the sun.
Diving + heat = increased risk of decompression stress
Diving puts your body under strain: pressure conditions, gas absorption, cold temperatures and movement all take their toll. Your body needs fluids to break down nitrogen efficiently.
If you dive while dehydrated, you risk longer decompression times and poorer nitrogen elimination. This can lead to increased decompression stress – with consequences for your safety and health. Unfortunately, this effect often creeps up on you without any clear warning signs.
How much is enough to drink – and how much is too much?
The good news is that you don’t have to force yourself to drink water. It is enough to drink regularly and consciously. Before a dive, around 300 to 500 ml of water is ideal – preferably in small sips over a few minutes. This does not put strain on the circulation and is easily absorbed by the body.
Between dives, 100–150 ml every 20–30 minutes is sufficient, ideally supplemented with water-rich fruit. Drinking large amounts at once – such as a whole litre in five minutes – is not very effective, as the body can only efficiently process around 0.8 to 1 litre of fluid per hour. The rest is excreted immediately.
How to prevent it effectively
At Lagona Divers, we take this issue seriously. Not as a matter of principle, but out of experience. That’s why drinking advice is an integral part of every briefing. And anyone who wants to is welcome to enjoy a cup of tea with a view of the sea before the dive.
Because: Your safety begins on land.
Our 5 tips for preventing dehydration when diving in Egypt
- Drink a litre of water immediately after getting up – ideally spread out over time, not all at once.
- Avoid coffee and soft drinks before diving – they have an additional dehydrating effect.
- Eat water-rich fruit – cucumbers, melons and grapes are extremely helpful.
- Take breaks in the shade – especially between dives.
- Watch out for stomach problems – diarrhoea can be a warning sign of dehydration.
What our divers report
“I thought I was drinking enough – but my circulation was still terrible. Now I always carry my water bottle with me.”
“Two days off because I hadn’t drunk enough in the sun. After that, it was clear: that won’t happen to me again.”
Our conclusion
Drinking enough is not a minor issue – it is a safety factor. Dehydration can end your diving holiday sooner than you would like. Therefore: think about yourself. Think about water.
And if you like, enjoy the first tea of the day with us by the sea.
👉 Want to enjoy your diving holiday – safely and relaxed?
We take care of the hotel, transfer, equipment – and the little things that make all the difference:
www.Lagona-Divers.com
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