Scuba Stretch

What do divers need to do to not hurt themselves while diving? In fact the diving isn’t normally the issue. Its before and after the dive that most stress and impact related injuries happen. I’d like to look at the challenge of scuba stress related injuries from two perspectives.

Yes stretching, the very thing the doctor ordered and we do just as frequently as we floss our teeth. Diving requires a surprisingly wide range of motion and tense muscle holds. Lifting our tanks dozens of times in often unstable environments is likely the first scenario you think of. Dawning a wetsuit or drysuit are the first that come to my mind. We have all seen countless back, shoulder and neck strains as a result of heavy equipment and sending long periods of time in a diving position. Stretch your lower and upper back. Stretch your legs. Stretch your arms and neck. Do this before your dive. Ignore the odd stairs you get from fellow divers. And enjoy the iron of them joining in when they realize its a good idea. I would appreciate a diving focused stretching demonstrations from a yoga instructor or physical therapy specialist.

Weight training is probably the most obvious answer to protect ourselves against the endless carrying of Al80s, lead weights, and kit bags full of our “just in case” widgets we’ll never use. What to lifts do I recommend? I have no idea. But tanks range from 36 to 46 pounds. We know how much lead we’re wearing. Divers would benefit from a wight lifting regiment recommended from a strength training professional.

I don’t have the answers but I know they lie in the talents of fellow divers who also specialize in fitness and health. Fitness professionals out there, how would you tailor a stretching and weight training program for divers?