GUE/DIR Non Smoker..?

[Peter Guy]

Pac-Exp wrote

Doing a 300+ foot deco dive with elevated CO2 and residual CO in your system at those partial pressures can possibly kill you.

Help me out here. Assuming you are NOT smoking underwater, how does the partial pressure of the CO or CO2 get raised by depth? You are NOT increasing the number of CO or CO2 molecules in your system (at least not from inhaling smoke) so how can the PP increase?

The reason the PPN2/PP02 increases with depth is that you are breathing mixes with increased PPs of those gases? So by going deeper, and increasing the PP02, you would actually be decreasing the relative amount of CO2/CO (from smoking) to the amount of O2, would you not?

 

[ucfdiver]

Pac-Exp wrote
Help me out here. Assuming you are NOT smoking underwater, how does the partial pressure of the CO or CO2 get raised by depth? You are NOT increasing the number of CO or CO2 molecules in your system (at least not from inhaling smoke) so how can the PP increase?

The reason the PPN2/PP02 increases with depth is that you are breathing mixes with increased PPs of those gases? So by going deeper, and increasing the PP02, you would actually be decreasing the relative amount of CO2/CO (from smoking) to the amount of O2, would you not?

Don't smokers retain more co2?

 

[Cave Diver]

Pac-Exp wrote
Help me out here. Assuming you are NOT smoking underwater, how does the partial pressure of the CO or CO2 get raised by depth? You are NOT increasing the number of CO or CO2 molecules in your system (at least not from inhaling smoke) so how can the PP increase?

The reason the PPN2/PP02 increases with depth is that you are breathing mixes with increased PPs of those gases? So by going deeper, and increasing the PP02, you would actually be decreasing the relative amount of CO2/CO (from smoking) to the amount of O2, would you not?

Peter, read the quotes in my response above. Specifically this one:

Approximately 15% of a smoker’s hemoglobin is bound to carbon monoxide, thereby reducing
circulatory efficiency. When called upon to transport required oxygen to tissues and to remove carbon
dioxide, bound hemoglobin are helpless to assist, reducing oxygenation and increasing CO2 levels. In
addition to its potential for increasing DCI risk, smoking place the diver in serious peril by limiting
oxygen intake precisely when it is needed most. Furthermore, there are many indications that CO2 plays
a prominent role in a host of physiological problems, and is likely a key component in episodes of
oxygen toxicity. In general, there are likely few things that rank as highly for general physical
degradation as does smoking.

 

[Dmdusn]

Is Copenhagen allowed?

 

[TSandM]

A 15% carboxyhemoglobin level is a very heavy smoker. Further, as you descend and your ppO2 climbs, the equilibrium is going to shift toward replacing some of that CO with oxygen -- this is the basis for hyperbaric treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning, and works the same in the water.

I don't like smoking and I don't like being around people who smoke. I am intensely aware of both the cardiovascular consequences of smoking and the pulmonary damage that inevitably results from the habit, because I work with the people who suffer both. I think folks who are really conscientious about their health -- diet, exercise, and avoidance of toxins -- don't smoke.

That said, I think GUE somewhat overstates the case. It is, however, entirely consonant with their world view to expect people who want to take their training and dive with them to respect their views on health and fitness.

The whole thing is very simple. If you want to take GUE classes, quit smoking, at least temporarily. You can do as you wish afterwards. If you want to dive with GUE divers or on GUE projects, don't smoke. If you want to smoke, find your training elsewhere.

 

[liuk3]

GUE isn't the only agency around. As much as I value the training, I also understand that it doesn't appeal to or isn't right for everyone. No big deal. They do have a no smoking policy. If you don't agree with it, just find another agency with whom to train. There are a lot of choices out there. Good luck in your dive progression. You're lucky to be starting so young.

 

[Griff..]

Thanks for all the replies and the flames...

I think ScubaSteve has the best approach and thanks for the information..

Also CaveDiver.. thank you..

I may be looking to quit smoking soon because getting into the GUE/Tech side of diving is something I really am passionate about doing.. And from what I've read there is a much more significant risk of DCS etc for smokers.. which I knew anyway, but its more apparent on the technical side of things..
Since I am a PADI instructor I rarely go beyond 40 meters.

Thanks for all the input, and there was no need to flame


James

 

[Scott L]

Great! Achieving both those goals will give you a huge sense of pride and pay dividends for the remainder of your life. Keep us updated periodically.

 

[Cave Diver]

Thanks for all the replies and the flames...

I think ScubaSteve has the best approach and thanks for the information..

Also CaveDiver.. thank you..

I may be looking to quit smoking soon because getting into the GUE/Tech side of diving is something I really am passionate about doing.. And from what I've read there is a much more significant risk of DCS etc for smokers.. which I knew anyway, but its more apparent on the technical side of things..
Since I am a PADI instructor I rarely go beyond 40 meters.

Thanks for all the input, and there was no need to flame


James

Glad you found some useful information and good luck on your further pursuits.

Not to sound harsh, or condone the behavior, but if you're looking at moving into tech diving you'll probably have to learn to accept a certain degree of "flames." As your diving advances, so does the number of things that can go wrong. Sometimes that harsh criticism that stings when you hear it is the the thing you remember the most and ends up saving your life.

Dive safe!

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Glad you found some useful information and good luck on your further pursuits.

Not to sound harsh, or condone the behavior, but if you're looking at moving into tech diving you'll probably have to learn to accept a certain degree of "flames." As your diving advances, so does the number of things that can go wrong. Sometimes that harsh criticism that stings when you hear it is the the thing you remember the most and ends up saving your life.

Dive safe!

Trust him on this advice ... when I first started tech diving my reaction to comments during debrief went something along the lines of "f!@k you and the high horse you rode in on". After a while, I came to realize that my buddies were sincerely trying to help me see myself for what they saw ... and listening to them would make me a better diver. After that, my response went more along the lines of "that's good feedback, thanks!".

Getting into tech definitely changes the way you look at diving ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)