Food Before Dives, Community Discussion (Facebook Thread)
Authors: Anna-Marie Richardson (prompt) and community contributors
DOI / Source: Facebook
Date: n/a
Reading level: Beginner
Why This Matters for Freedivers
What (and when) you eat can change comfort, equalisation, energy levels, and even blackout risk. This thread is useful because it collects real-world experiences from divers across disciplines and levels, and highlights common patterns (like fasting for statics, and being cautious with fasting for depth). It’s not scientific proof, but it’s great for generating sensible “rules of thumb” to test on yourself.
Synopsis
This is a long Facebook discussion started by a diver asking what people prefer to eat (or avoid) before statics, dynamics, and open-water depth sessions. The replies show one big theme: there isn’t one perfect pre-dive meal, but there are consistent ideas that many divers agree on.
Common patterns people report
- Static apnea: Many prefer fasting or a very light stomach, mainly for comfort and to avoid blood being “pulled” toward digestion. Several people say an empty stomach helps relaxation and reduces distractions.
- Dynamic / pool work: More people report needing some quick energy, especially if the session is long. Suggestions include dried fruit, oats, honey, light carbs, and electrolyte drinks—often taken a few hours before, or between attempts.
- Depth / open water: Many emphasize time since last big meal (often 3–6 hours) rather than strict fasting. Some warn that fasting or low-carb patterns can increase lightheadedness or make the end of the dive feel “empty.” A few divers share experiences consistent with hypoglycemia contributing to repeated LMC/blackouts, which improved after simply eating breakfast.
Hot topics debated in the thread
- Beetroot / dietary nitrate: Some divers and researchers discuss nitrate supplementation, with mixed claims (possible benefits for some settings, possible negatives for others). The takeaway from the thread is: if you experiment, do it on training days, and track how you actually perform and recover.
- Coffee / caffeine: Several divers say moderate coffee doesn’t hurt them and may even help routine/alertness, but the general vibe is “don’t change everything on a big dive day.”
- Carbs vs fats (RQ discussion): There’s a deep tangent about respiratory quotient (RQ) and fuel choice (fat vs carbs). It’s interesting, but most divers conclude that practical performance and safety matter more than perfect theory—especially because people vary a lot.
Practical “starter rules” you can test
- Don’t dive with a heavy stomach. Give yourself a 3–4 hour window after a big meal (more if needed).
- For statics, try empty/light and see if it improves relaxation.
- For depth days, be careful with skipping breakfast if you’re prone to dizziness or LMC.
- Keep hydration and electrolytes in mind, especially in cold water or long sessions.
- Treat supplements as experiments, not magic.
Abstract
This document is a saved Facebook thread in which freedivers discuss pre-dive meals and hydration strategies for static apnea, pool dynamics, and open-water depth diving. Contributors commonly report that fasting or a very light stomach feels beneficial for static apnea, while dynamic sessions often feel better with some carbohydrate availability. For depth, many divers emphasize allowing sufficient time for digestion rather than strict fasting.
The thread includes debate about supplements (notably beetroot/nitrate and caffeine), individual differences, and the potential role of low blood sugar in LMC/blackout susceptibility for some divers. Overall, the discussion suggests simple, testable habits—avoid heavy meals close to diving, be cautious with fasting for depth, and prioritize comfort, consistent routines, hydration, and safety over “one-size-fits-all” rules.