A grizzly question

[freediver]

Drowning certainly isn't a peaceful way to go. Do a bit of research on drowning, namely the 4 stages of drowning and draw your own conclusions. The YMCA Lifeguard Manual has some really good info on drowning physiology. Consider that the active stage of drowning itself can last up to a minute. I can think of very few things any worse than suffocating in a liquid medium aspirating something into my lungs.

 

[gary-ramey]

Painless, painfull, it dosen't matter because I don't want to die PERIOD. I'll never forget what Capt. Jim Wyatt told me my first day in his class. He said that if I was ever lost, trapped, or stuck In an overhead enviornment that I am NOT to stop and write a farewell letter in my wet notes, or carve a goodby message in the rock or on my tanks. All that would just be wasting time that I could have been working to get out. If you give up you're guaranteed to become a statistic. I can totally relate to the idea of never giving up.

The only way I'd switch over to O2 is if my bottom gas was exhausted. I'll admit that I'd say a little prayer that I get out before I tox.

Reminds me of some lyrics from an old Pure Prairie League song "don't bury me on the lone prairie, I'd rather lay there alive".

Great post. I don't think anyone wants to die. I'm not afraid of death; However, I'll I am afraid to know the way I'll end up going. I will say this though....If I'm 70+ with a reg in my mouth when it happens, I won't complain.

 

[Hoeser]

I would agree that hypoxia seems like the best way to go... you could probably accomplish this by recirculating the same breath through your BC until you passed out.... You'll get light headed pretty quickly. Admittedly, I've tried to see how long I could recirculate the same breath in my BC (at home, not under water!) and it isn't that long before you start to feel tipsy.

 

[Bobyjimmie]

I would agree that hypoxia seems like the best way to go... you could probably accomplish this by recirculating the same breath through your BC until you passed out.... You'll get light headed pretty quickly. Admittedly, I've tried to see how long I could recirculate the same breath in my BC (at home, not under water!) and it isn't that long before you start to feel tipsy.

Interesting thought. When we did the physioligical training in the military some people actually become combative and didnt wanna put their O2 back on because of the euphoria they got, I sure couldnt see this as being a bad way to go at all.

 

[Hoeser]

Yea, I think it is somewhat "win/win" at the end (and I use the term loosely). Rather than suck up water, convulse, and die a horrible death, you could hypothetically "rebreathe" your BC while attempting to get out of whatever mess you are in. Even if the effort is futile you will probably last longer than breathing water. I would imagine you would be somewhat more productive at finding a solution as well.

Somehow I'm thinking "check your gauges frequently" is a WAY better solution, though that is just me.

 

[do it easy]

I would agree that hypoxia seems like the best way to go... you could probably accomplish this by recirculating the same breath through your BC until you passed out.... You'll get light headed pretty quickly. Admittedly, I've tried to see how long I could recirculate the same breath in my BC (at home, not under water!) and it isn't that long before you start to feel tipsy.

I think you would be rebreathing the CO2 which will make you feel air starved and anxious. Hypoxia is different than hypercapnia or hypercarbia- they can happen at the same time, but they have different symptoms.

 

[ianr33]

Maybe I need to get an Argon bottle with a reg on it. That would do the trick.

Or maybe some sodalime in my BC??

 

[Web Monkey]

Another argument for watching your gauges

. . . and staying close to your buddy and practicing air-sharing skills.

Terry

 

[Thrillhouse]

Hmmm. The thing about rebreathing the air in your BC is you have to hold the valve open with your thumb. Wouldn't you probably stop doing this out of weakness as you became increasingly-woozy, causing you to huff in water by default anyway?

I suppose carrying cyanide pills for wreck and cave divers doesn't really send the whole "safety first" message out.

 

[almitywife]

....I suppose carrying cyanide pills for wreck and cave divers doesn't really send the whole "safety first" message out.

:lol:

im sorry but this thread has turned in a very interesting way!