1. Freediving
   freedivingIt is another choice for ocean lovers to explore the beautiful ocean. But did you know that freediving after scuba diving can be very risky?Once you've completed your ultimate diving experience, it can be exciting to see what's out there when you take a leap into the water in your snorkeling gear to see more. Maybe there's a manta ray circling under the boat ...... and you might want to get in the water and take a look! But it's best to stay on the surface, and you should avoid diving with your breath held out.This is because there is unreleased nitrogen in your body after a scuba dive. A rapid ascent when returning to the surface may affect the nitrogen discharge, which, as we know, is what triggers decompression sickness.Scuba divers should normally follow the same free-diving rules as for flying: wait 12 hours after one dive, 18 hours after two or more dives, and of course the safest way is to wait 24 hours. To be on the safe side, you can change your itinerary to snorkel at the surface.
   
   
2. Go to high Alttitudes or Fly by Plane
   

   If you've taken a scuba diving course, you've undoubtedly been told this important dive safety rule: don't fly after scuba diving!
   The general rule for flying after a dive is to wait 12 hours after one dive and 18 hours after two or more dives. If you exceed the no-decompression limit, or miss a dive safety stop, a 24-hour wait is recommended.
   This is because when we go up in an airplane, the altitude increases and therefore the air pressure is lower than sea level. This encourages a rapid expansion of the nitrogen you have built up during your dive (the same effect as ascending too fast), which is the main cause of the risk of decompression sickness.
   It is also recommended to avoid mountain peaks over 1,000 feet (300 meters) above sea level for 24 hours after a dive. For the same reason as flying; the altitude is higher than sea level, which causes an increase in the pressure differential between the surrounding environment and the nitrogen in your body during the dive. Nitrogen expands so quickly that decompression sickness becomes a risk.
   So consider these risk factors when planning your vacation trip - don't dive on the last day of your diving vacation, and don't climb mountains after your dive.

3. Hot water
   You may like to take a warm hot shower after your dive? Especially if you feel cold after a cold water dive! But you may need to wait a while before you wash up.Although a hot shower or bath is quite pleasant, when your body is immersed in hot water, your body's tissues become hot. This can promote the formation of nitrogen bubbles in the blood, which is the cause of decompression sickness. The solubility of gases is temperature dependent. For example, when you see water boiling, bubbles appear when the water reaches a hot enough temperature. 
   Of course there are no set rules, but DAN (Divers Alert Network) recommends that you wait 5 to 30 minutes after your dive before taking a hot shower or bath. It is recommended that if you really can't wait to take a shower or bath immediately after your dive, try to dive more conservatively (shallower and well within the no-decompression limits) to minimize the amount of nitrogen that remains in your system after the dive, and use a warm shower or bath rather than a very hot one.

4. Stress Relief Massage
   There is nothing more thoroughly relaxing than a pressure relief massage, and this may be the self-indulgence of your scuba diving vacation. However, it is recommended that you may wish to avoid deep tissue massage after scuba diving.
   Although there isn't much evidence to support this theory, many scuba divers believe that massage may cause air bubbles to form because it increases the flow of blood in your body. Some believe it also pushes these air bubbles into the joints and causes them to become trapped and painful.There is another reason to avoid massage after diving. Deep tissue massage can cause tissue pain and muscle soreness. Since pain and soreness are symptoms associated with decompression sickness, they can be misinterpreted and lead to a visit to the doctor. Perhaps, you may think that your muscles are sore or achy just because you massaged them hard, ignoring the fact that your post-dive symptoms are actually decompression sickness. This may result in a delay in discovering the therapeutic action you need.

Signs and symptoms of decompression sickness

Now you know what to avoid after scuba diving to avoid decompression sickness. But if you or your diving partner were struck by DCS, would you recognize the signs and symptoms of DCS?
Here are the main signs and symptoms to watch for:
Joint and/or muscle pain or soreness/Tingling, numbness, or pins and needles feeling/Numbility/Skin rash/Itchy or painful skin/ Fatigue/Headache/Confusion/Visual impairment/Hearing loss or tinnitus/Weakness/Disgusting Or vomiting/Coughing up blood/Uncontrollable shaking/Coma
If you experience any of these symptoms, or see these signs in other divers, seek medical help quickly and, if possible, Breathe pure oxygen on the surface of the water.
If you are interested in learning to dive safely. Check out the SSI Open Water Diver course where you'll learn everything you need to know about scuba diving for beginners.