40 replies to this topic

[PerroneFord]

to hold your breath underwater with the regulator out of your mouth, and with the chance of rising without realizing it runs of the risk of an embolism, doesn't it?
PlatypusMan

Yes.

[matts1w]

Ok the snorkel-

I believe that if one is seperated way down current from the boat in somewhat rough seas as he/she has a long time to drift waiting for a ride, a snorkle would be a good thing to have when the air runs out. Coast guard rescue teams enter huge seas with just a mask, fins, and snorkel as there is an obvious advantage to the tool. In big currents one should carry a SMB, nosiemaker, and probably just for saftey's sake, a snorkle.

Sometimes while spearfishing I...gasp...surface alone and wait for the boat. Sometimes it is quite a wait while the boat is picking up other divers. I usually spend alot of time watching what is going on under me as every now and then toothy critters show up to inspect my catch. An snorkel would allow me to keep an eye on things w/o using the remaing air in my tank.

HOWEVER I will be honest...

I hate snorkels and never dive with one as long as I am not working. Not because I think they are worthless, but because they are 9 times out of 10, a pain in the a--.

Edited by matts1w, 26 October 2006 - 10:39 AM.

[PerroneFord]

I would probably carry a snorkel if my dive conditions were like many people I read about here.

[ScubaDadMiami]

The main reason I like the snorkel is in case of a rescue. I like doing mouth to snorkel rescue breathing while towing a diver.

In my old rig, I used to stash one between the backplate and the wing. However, I just don't have room for one anymore. If the folding jobs were a little smaller and less expensive, I would see about trying to jam yet another item into my pocket.

[JimG]

The main reason I like the snorkel is in case of a rescue. I like doing mouth to snorkel rescue breathing while towing a diver.

I agree with this, and for exactly the same reason. Unfortunately, it's kind of hard to find non-purge snorkels any more (they work best for this).

I'm kind of curious how the new AHA standards for CPR will affect the way this particular skill is taught. Rescue breathing is no longer included as part of lay person CPR, and has been "upgraded" to a Professional Rescuer skill. DAN's position is that Rescue Breathing is still a viable method for dealing with an injured diver or swimmer, so they are leaving that skill "in". I'll be interested to see how the other agencies respond on this.

In my old rig, I used to stash one between the backplate and the wing.

That's what I do with mine. I also have one of the old Scubapro "quick clips" for my snorkel, which makes it very easy to remove or reattach as needed - this can actually be done without removing the mask.

[ereediver]

The main reason I like the snorkel is in case of a rescue. I like doing mouth to snorkel rescue breathing while towing a diver.

I agree with this, and for exactly the same reason. Unfortunately, it's kind of hard to find non-purge snorkels any more (they work best for this).

I'm kind of curious how the new AHA standards for CPR will affect the way this particular skill is taught. Rescue breathing is no longer included as part of lay person CPR, and has been "upgraded" to a Professional Rescuer skill. DAN's position is that Rescue Breathing is still a viable method for dealing with an injured diver or swimmer, so they are leaving that skill "in". I'll be interested to see how the other agencies respond on this.

In my old rig, I used to stash one between the backplate and the wing.

That's what I do with mine. I also have one of the old Scubapro "quick clips" for my snorkel, which makes it very easy to remove or reattach as needed - this can actually be done without removing the mask.

The way I understand the AHA's view on rescue breathing and CPR, Most poeple don't get any air in anyway, so they say just circulating the blood will provide enough o2 to sustain life until the patient can be intibated in most situations. At least that's what I was told at my last CPR class. 10 to 20 mile out to sea I guess would be different.

[JimG]

The way I understand the AHA's view on rescue breathing and CPR, Most poeple don't get any air in anyway, so they say just circulating the blood will provide enough o2 to sustain life until the patient can be intibated in most situations. At least that's what I was told at my last CPR class. 10 to 20 mile out to sea I guess would be different.

Actually, there is enough residual Oxygen left in your blood to keep you alive for 2-3 minutes after the onset of respiratory arrest, without any intervention whatsoever. And simply circulating the blood will not introduce any new Oxygen into the system, which is why we do compressions and rescue breaths.

What I had reference to was the fact that Rescue Breathing is no longer taught as a separate skill in a basic CPR course. If the victim is not breathing, then you go directly to CPR, at the new recommended compression ratio of 30:2.

However, several dive training agencies do cover Rescue Breathing in their basic OW courses, in conjunction with unconscious diver rescues. You obviously can't do chest compressions in the water, and I am curious to see how the agencies will address this in their curricula (i.e. will they continue to teach Rescue Breathing in their courses for in-water resuscitation, or will some other procedure be recommended).

[ereediver]

It was the residual O2 I was refering to. As it was explained to me, the thinking behind upping the compressions from 15 to 30 was because of the difficulty it is to actually get air into the lungs using rescue breaths. Using the residual oxygen to keep you alive. If the breaths are successful thats a bonus. At least that's what I understand. By no means would I hint at not at least trying, but if the throat is closed, compresions would still do some good... Which is my point.

[6Gill]

What do you do to service your SPGs (other than clean the threads, change the spool o-ring, etc.)? Do you do something to inside the unit?

That's pretty much it except compare it against a test gauge

I'll check a new tape measure againts a known standard,you be suprised how inacurate some tape measures are.

Do you toss your lead weights on a scale? Talk about inaccurate. Geeze!

We cast our own v-weights and they are checked on a accurate digital scale.+/- 0.05lbs on a 7.5lbs weight I think is acceptable.

[Walter]

Making your own is the only way you'll get them that accurate.