Diving & Smoking. Who Does?

[EllieCee]

When I was in Egypt, I expected the dive school to be full of fit healthy diving instructors, so was pretty surprised to see that almost every ( maybe all ) dive instructors smoked. This strikes me as quite odd. Whilst I understand that diving is supposed to be a calm and relaxing activity, even from my limited number of dives, I know there are times when it can be pretty strenuous. Its at these times when having a good level of fitness would really help (as well as the diver needing less air ), and I don't think anyone needs me to tell them that smoking is counter-productive to this. Also doesn't smoking increase your susceptibilty to DCI?

I'm not doing the 'holier than thou' thing so don't mis-interpret this, its just my amatuer Psychologist streak would like to know the reason as to why so many divers smoke??

Ellie

[bottlefish]

How many cans of worms do you have stacked in your cupboard?

[EllieCee]

Quite a few, they are nearly past there sell by date so I thought I'd better get them used up!

Seriously though, I have a very inquisitive mind and like to know how people tick... I'm sure I should have been a psychologist!

Oh, and Bottlefish, you never voted!

Ellie

[GaryA]

Smoked when I was very young... Can't stand the things now..

[bottlefish]

I know. I'm emabarresed at my own failings, being an ex ex smoker, trying to make it back to ex smoker.

[Al1x]

I don't smoke but know quite a few at my local dive club do.

[gunner]

No smokers in my regular group of ten or so divers.

[Baz]

EllieCee Wrote:Seriously though, I have a very inquisitive mind and like to know how people tick... I'm sure I should have been a psychologist!

Ellie

This usually called being bloody nosey.

I was going to abstain from this vote but felt sorry for Bottlefish.

[Woody]

I dont smoke, used to with a few beers, but now nothing. Going by my late air consumption, I'm thinking of starting again tho!

[O2 Steve]

I smoke and proud to stand by my personal choice to do so

As for instructors....

Those who know Jason at RSR may have heard his theory in smoking which goes something like:

"Narcosis is the narcotic effect of Nitrogen on the diver, so if we are more used to substances that induce similar effects we should be in a better position to handle them. So smoking, drinking and "other similar recreational pursits" are good for us! Also means we are used to the dodgy air fills and as we are used to using less of our lungs our air consumption should be better"

I suspect there is little to no science behind that but I like his philosophy