## Can You Cough While Scuba Diving?
Coughing is a natural reflex that helps to clear the airways of irritants. However, coughing while scuba diving can be dangerous, as it can cause you to lose control of your breathing and potentially lead to a drowning incident.
### Why is it dangerous to cough while scuba diving?
When you cough, you expel air from your lungs through your mouth and nose. This can cause you to lose buoyancy, which can lead to you ascending too quickly. Ascending too quickly can cause decompression sickness, which is a serious medical condition that can cause pain, paralysis, and even death.
In addition, coughing can cause you to aspirate water into your lungs. Aspiration can lead to pneumonia, which is a serious infection that can be life-threatening.
### What should you do if you need to cough while scuba diving?
If you need to cough while scuba diving, it is important to do so carefully. Here are some tips:
Try to hold your cough. If you can, try to hold your cough until you can reach a shallower depth. This will help to reduce the risk of losing buoyancy and ascending too quickly.
If you cannot hold your cough, cough into your regulator. This will help to prevent water from entering your lungs.
Be aware of your surroundings. Make sure that you are not near any other divers or objects that could be damaged by your cough.
Signal to your buddy that you need to cough. Your buddy can help you to stay safe by monitoring your ascent and providing assistance if needed.
### How can you prevent coughing while scuba diving?
There are a few things you can do to help prevent coughing while scuba diving:
Stay hydrated. Dehydration can cause your throat to become dry and irritated, which can lead to coughing.
Avoid smoking. Smoking can damage your lungs and make you more likely to cough.
Take decongestants. If you have a cold or allergies, taking decongestants can help to clear your sinuses and reduce coughing.
Use a cough suppressant. If you are prone to coughing, you may want to take a cough suppressant before scuba diving.
### Conclusion
Coughing while scuba diving can be dangerous, but it can be prevented by taking a few simple precautions. By following the tips in this article, you can help to stay safe while scuba diving.
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