Caveeagle
Contributor
A rebreather is a fantastic solution to dry mouth.
I’m thinking maybe I could have gotten a doctors note. At least then I could have burned up a few pre tax dollars from my HSA! ...haha
Dry- cotton mouth, parched throat - solutions
- Thread starter RStyle
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I’m thinking maybe I could have gotten a doctors note. At least then I could have burned up a few pre tax dollars from my HSA! ...haha
Since it affected more than just you and you were in a “foreign land” have you had these symptoms since?
Addicted2H2O
Contributor
Oooooo......I like your thought process!!!!! Wonder if I got involved with a non-profit if I could write one off.....
mi000ke
Contributor
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Going by your reported observations and logic, the problem was probably something specific to the air you all were breathing on that day. You have never experienced this degree of dry mouth in 800 dives, but did on that day. Presumably the dive master, who breathes off their tanks every day, has not experienced the degree of dry mouth or irritation either, or he/she would probably have said so. If the next dives you do (or did) did not result in that degree of dryness, especially if with another dive op presumably using tanks filled somewhere else, then it tends to confirm the bad-air conjecture. And if so, you may be looking for a solution to which no problem (on your part) exists.
I've had this problem as well and I've thought about spraying some Biotene in my mouth before the dive but I keep forgetting to bring it (I bought some - lost it - found it and now suspect it's outdated)! Keep in mind that if you're using a decongestant you will have an extra dry mouth - and that some medications will cause dry mouth.
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Staying properly hydrated pre-dive is the best preventative.
Most folks who lead everyday “normal” lives tend toward dehydration during tropical excursions.
With the combination of low humidity air travel, the general rush of transit, the convenient access to coffee and alcohol, an inconvenient environment, one is predisposed to dehydration.
Compressed air by its physical nature is devoid of moisture.
Add it all together. By the time you’re thirsty, you’re already well into dehydration. Recovery times will vary, but there is a lag time.
In re Oasis regs: The most discernible effect is the excited panic they often cause with fellow divers certain that you are having a catastrophic leak...all from the little zizzzz of bubbles off the first stage.
Drink more water.
Most folks who lead everyday “normal” lives tend toward dehydration during tropical excursions.
With the combination of low humidity air travel, the general rush of transit, the convenient access to coffee and alcohol, an inconvenient environment, one is predisposed to dehydration.
Compressed air by its physical nature is devoid of moisture.
Add it all together. By the time you’re thirsty, you’re already well into dehydration. Recovery times will vary, but there is a lag time.
In re Oasis regs: The most discernible effect is the excited panic they often cause with fellow divers certain that you are having a catastrophic leak...all from the little zizzzz of bubbles off the first stage.
Drink more water.
I put a breath strip in my mouth just before I put the reg in my mouth. I don't worry about aspirating it, like I would with a losenge.
I was also thinking of trying biotine. The little packs for the breath strips is a pia to get put away and not getting wet just before falling off the boat.
I've never tried it, but I've heard lots of people say that using a second stage with all metal parts will help this significantly. The idea is that the moisture condenses on the metal parts as you exhale. Then when you inhale, it evaporates back into the dry air. Most manufacturers have been switching to all (or almost all) plastic second stages to save cost and weight.
Scubapro (and maybe others) have a metal barrel upgrade kit for this purpose. Scubapro Upgrade Kit S600 Metal Barrel In the US, scubpro makes you buy parts ONLY from an LDS so you won't find it online most likely. However your LDS should be able to acquire and install it... for a fee.
As @Sh0rtBus mentioned, a FFM will solve this problem, but they're about $500 and require some learning.
The thing @JackD342 mentioned: Amazon.com : Apollo Scuba Diving Bio-Filter 3/8" : Diving Equipment : Sports & Outdoors This thing is supposed to be a solution for this problem. At $185, it's cheaper than a FFM.
Personally if I'm not on FFM and my mouth gets dry I take the reg out of my mouth and swish with some ocean water (don't drink it!). Put the reg back in and move on with life.
Scubapro (and maybe others) have a metal barrel upgrade kit for this purpose. Scubapro Upgrade Kit S600 Metal Barrel In the US, scubpro makes you buy parts ONLY from an LDS so you won't find it online most likely. However your LDS should be able to acquire and install it... for a fee.
As @Sh0rtBus mentioned, a FFM will solve this problem, but they're about $500 and require some learning.
The thing @JackD342 mentioned: Amazon.com : Apollo Scuba Diving Bio-Filter 3/8" : Diving Equipment : Sports & Outdoors This thing is supposed to be a solution for this problem. At $185, it's cheaper than a FFM.
Personally if I'm not on FFM and my mouth gets dry I take the reg out of my mouth and swish with some ocean water (don't drink it!). Put the reg back in and move on with life.
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