Germs and buddy breathing in class

[Nova SS]

Okay I understand the reason and need for this skill but I dont look foward to having something in my mouth from someone I hardly know. Is there any way around this????

 

[StSomewhere]

You're going to share the same pool/quarry/ocean with them, right?

You know what WC Fields said about why he didn't drink water...

 

[terrasmak]

You need to practice and learn the skill that will save your life. The water will rince it off before it even gets to you .

 

[Jim Ernst]

Okay I understand the reason and need for this skill but I dont look foward to having something in my mouth from someone I hardly know. Is there any way around this????

hey there nova, a very warm welcome to scuba board!!! keep one thing in mind, and know you are not the first but one of many with this concern!! in the pool all of the germs are instantly killed by the chlorine and so as soon as the OTHER person takes the reg out of thier mouth underwater it is basicly sanitised by that chlorine.

 

[cudachaser]

I do rinse my regs (instructor) with isopropol alcohol after uses

 

[JodiBB]

I can appreciate your hesitation and the prior responses say it all. I just wanted to let you know that I went out and bought my own mouthpiece and when I use rental gear (which I'm doing right now)...I will replace the rental mouthpiece with my own throughout the rental and before returning the gear, I'll put the rental mouthpiece back on...I've done this for 2 reasons:

1) The germ factor
2) I have the elongated mouthpiece that lets me bite down comfortably, which most rentals don't have.

 

[RockPile]

I guess I should floss more before the buddy breath sessions...

 

[ShakaZulu]

Okay I understand the reason and need for this skill but I dont look foward to having something in my mouth from someone I hardly know. Is there any way around this????

Bring an extra mouthpiece, cable tie and a pliers with you. When your buddy passes you the reg, clip off the existing cable tie, replace the mouthpiece and attach a new cable tie to hold it in place. Now insert the reg in your mouth and breath.......I see no problem?

Dewd, your body has organisms that fight foreign intruders.....why do you think you are alive now?

 

[NJScubaDoc]

2 points.....

In class take a deep sniff. That pungent odor is the disinfecting power of chlorine...from a microbiological standpoint there is little to worry about.

Point the second, in a real OOA situation the microbial load on your buddies mouthpiece is going to be the last thing on your mind as you struggle for that life sustaining breath.

 

[StSomewhere]

I can appreciate your hesitation and the prior responses say it all. I just wanted to let you know that I went out and bought my own mouthpiece and when I use rental gear (which I'm doing right now)...I will replace the rental mouthpiece with my own throughout the rental and before returning the gear, I'll put the rental mouthpiece back on...I've done this for 2 reasons:

1) The germ factor
2) I have the elongated mouthpiece that lets me bite down comfortably, which most rentals don't have.

The side of the mouthpiece that attaches to the regulator is sized differently for various brands of regulators.