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Here is some
information that will make your Dive Trip more enjoyable, and less
stressful!
Air Travel
Wellness
Avoid
Dehydration! One of the simplest and most important
things you can do for your health on an airplane is to
DRINK LOTS OF WATER.
SYMPTOMS OF IN-FLIGHT
DEHYDRATION - Thirst, scratchy
eyes, bloodshot eyes, dry skin, wrinkled skin, constipation, and
more.
Tips to Avoid Dehydration
- Drink at least
eight ounces of water every hour en
route.
- Carry your own bottle of drinking
water when you fly, to sip on when service is not available
(right after takeoff or when the bar carts close prior to
landing) and/or when flight attendants are not in your
section.
- En route, ask for bottled or
canned water when the bar cart comes by. (Avoid tap water on
airplanes. There are no standards for commercial aircraft water
tanks, for cleanliness, treatment procedures, nor water quality
in cities around the world where commercial jets refill.)
- Avoid alcohol and coffee; they
have diuretic properties, i.e., they squeeze water out of our
cells. It is better to drink uncarbonated
beverages, such as juices or herbal teas.
- Spritz your face often; use an
empty perfume atomizer and refill it from your own drinking
water or buy a water spritzer (used for ironing).
- After landing, submerge and soak
in water as soon as possible. Jump into the ocean, a hot
tub, a pool, a bath, whatever is available that you enjoy.
Immerse entirely, and especially your head. Bathing when
dehydrated helps to replenish moisture right through the pores.
Bathing also relaxes the nervous system.
Combat Jet Lag
- No-Jet-Lag is the only jet-lag remedy proven effective in a
clinical trial that crossed 24 time zones and involved athletes
who are also seasoned travelers. Taken as recommended, it
really works!
-
Start shifting your sleep-wake cycle to match that
of your destination several days before departure, changing at
the rate of one hour per day.
-
Begin adjusting to the time zone of your
destination by resetting your watch at the beginning of your
flight.
-
Sleep on the plane when it is nighttime at your
destination. Earplugs, headphones and eye masks can help
diminish noise and light.
-
Stay awake on the
plane when it is daytime at your destination. Read a thriller
with the light on and the window shade open, or cruise the
aisles.
In-Flight
Comfort
Remember to carry
these items in your Carry-On bag so you will be more comfortable
in-flight. Air Travel has changed dramatically over the last
few years, so, if this is your first trip in a while, be
prepared!
- Any prescription medications you need during your trip. If
your luggage gets lost or misdirected, you will still have these
critical items!
- A small, easy to pack pillow such as FOM, or CUSH
- Eyeshades, earplugs
- Flight Spray for anti viral protection and nasal
rehydration.
- Snacks from home, like nutrition bars, apples, dried fruit,
jerkey and hard candy (if you are arriving at an international
destination, your fruit and jerkey may be confiscated on
arrival!)
- Books and magazines
- Travel socks - so you can remove your shoes in flight.
Wear comfortable, loosely fitting shoes, as your feet will swell
in flight.
- Bring your own Headset. On Domestic Transcontinental
flights, headsets are often sold. Most planes now accept Sony
type headset plugs. Check with your Air Carrier for
specifics.
- Cold-Eeze to take at the FIRST sign of a cold, or to pass to
someone who is coughing incessantly nearby!
- Travel size kit containing hand lotion, antibacterial hand
wash, mouthwash, face toner, a toothbrush and toothpaste.
(Be sure to pack liquids in a Quart Size Ziplock Bag!)
- A sweater or jacket, change of underwear, bathing suit and
any clothing you may need for a day if your luggage does not
arrive with you. If traveling from a cold area to a
tropical destination, a lightweight change of clothing might be
a good idea.
- Water bottle filled with Diversitea.
Other
Suggestions
- Take your Regulator, Dive Computer and
Mask (especially if it is a Prescription Mask!) in your carry-on
bag. You can rent anything else you may need from most
operators, if your luggage doesn't arrive when you do.
- Eat a light meal before you get on the
plane. Bring a cup of Instant Noodle Soup with you, and
ask the Flight Attendant to give you some boiling water to
prepare it. Do this at a time when they are not busy
trying to serve a meal to the entire cabin!
- If you MUST eat Airplane catered food,
order a Special Meal (you will need to do this when you book
your ticket, or at least 24 hours before the flight) - the Fruit
Plate or Asian Vegetarian options are usually pretty good.
They are almost always served before the General Meal service
begins, and tend to be less heavy and starchy.
- I have managed to pack ALL my Scuba gear
(wetsuit, 3/5 hooded vest, Regulator, Computers, booties, mask,
beanie and even fins) in a 21" carry-on rollaboard
suitcase! The fins fit into a front pocket meant for
hanging clothes! The BC and knife go in checked luggage,
with clothes. This means one can dive with a borrowed or
rented BC if luggage is delayed. There's even
room for a swimsuit and sunblock.
Dive Checklist This is a great tool to assist you in remembering
everything you need to bring with you on your trip!
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