It is not just the healthy reefs that attract divers year after year.
They have worked hard at protecting their reefs and were one of the pioneers to install permanent moorings. Bonaire realized long ago that the majority of their tourist's dollars were coming from divers.
This article was written by Kathryn Curzon, a writer and diver for take a look at the slogan on a Bonaire license plate “Diver's Paradise” and you have a pretty good idea what is in store for you. Be sure to keep hydrated every day to allow spinal discs to rehydrate and support the back for years to come. Keep well hydratedīack stiffness and pain can be due to poorly hydrated or injured spinal discs. Divers with back injuries should seek medical advice prior to undertaking new sports and consider seeing a physiotherapist for a personalised yoga and Pilates routine. Yoga and pilates are popular sports for preventing back injuries and are helpful for improving flexibility, core strength, and posture. Include pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication, a tennis or cricket ball for self-massage of the back, a hot water bottle for easing muscle tension, a lumbar support brace, and a length of physiotherapist band for stretches. Take a back pain survival kitĪ simple kit for relieving back pain can make a big difference when on a remote diving trip and unable to access a physiotherapist.
Divers should consider a session with an instructor to learn different finning techniques whilst checking for unnatural back arching or strain. An alternative finning technique is the frog kick, which can be easily learnt. Kicking from the hips with straight legs is a common finning technique but it can put pressure on the spine.
A wide field-of-view mask helps reduce the need to twist the neck during dives. Open-heel fins with spring fin straps allows for easy removal with minimal bending required. The addition of a thermal undersuit or rash vest, can make a big difference in keeping injury-prone backs warm and in preventing muscle spasms.įor those who struggle to bend or turn their necks, extra consideration should be given to the choice of mask and fins. Diving wings are another popular option to try.īeing cold can easily aggravate a sore back and choosing the right wetsuit, or drysuit and undersuit combination, is important. Back support sizes and positions vary, as do pockets for weights, and should be considered. Using weights in BCD pockets, tank weights, or positioning weight on a belt at the front of the waistline, are great ways to reduce pressure on the spine without compromising a diver’s body position in the water.Ĭhoosing the right BCD is also important and divers should try on a variety of styles and manufacturer’s BCDs before making their choice. Whilst most divers learn with a weight belt around the waist, and weights distributed around the waistline, there are other options. The correct weight distribution is important in minimising back pain, particularly lumbar pain. Here are our top five tips for diving with chronic back pain: Choose the right dive gear
Divers can manage chronic back pain whilst travelling and diving, plus take actions to minimise the chance of back injuries reoccurring. Back pain is a common occurrence these days with sedentary lifestyles, but it needn’t deter divers from enjoying their time in the water.