The dryness comes from dehydration as you know.The compressors go to great effort to give you dry air.You have to hydrate before a dive and avoid drinks like gatorade between dives.They are better for after you have finished diving.You see it takes water for our bodies to process food or anything else we drink and if you drink something like gatorade it does put minerals and sugars into your body but you need to back it up with equal amounts of water.Most people are nowhere near hydrated enough and coffees and teas and softdrinks are diuretics which draw water out of our systems rather than replace them.Take bottles of water and remember where you are.We dive in a salt environment in suits that make us sweat and in general the weather is warm.We are expending energy and breathing very dry air.It is a perfect mix for cotton mouth.If you are feeeling thirsty then you are already dehydrated.Try drinking even when you aren't thirsty,ie while getting into gear,the dive briefing,and before the dive pre-emptively.Don't forget that it also takes a while for your body to absorb the water drunk so prepare a little before time.The adverts for drinks may be persuasive but Adams Ale still is the best stuff to combat diving throat.Hopes this helps.
Cheers Big Ears,
Gasman
