hammet
Contributor
This should rustle a few jimmies here.
Is scuba gear life support?
- Thread starter hammet
- Start date
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No, it's sport equipment. Just like rope is to a mountain climber or tires are to an automobile driver. WHEN any of that stuff fails, you might have a bad day. Hopefully you are well trained and have some redundancy and skill to deal with adverse situations.
Practicing as he suggests is dangerous. Too easy to go too fast, and if you perchance hold your breathe, you are likely dead.
I was an Aircrew Life Support Tech in the USAF from 73 to 77. Our job description included servicing and training for O2 delivery systems, G-suits, chute maintenance, survival gear, etc......and also training for egress, crashlanding and ditching procedures. I would say yes...that self contained underwater breathing apparatuses are life support equipment.
OP
hammet
Contributor
My intent on starting this thread wasn't necessarily to answer the question in the thread title but more to start a conversation about the opinions of the guy being interviewed in the video.
Specifically, should someone not commence a dive to a certain depth unless they are confident in their ability to do a CESA from that depth?
No, that's just stupid and would invalidate a lot of recreational diving. Even PADI allow recreational diving to 40 metres (other agencies deeper). How many can do a CESA from this depth? Either get your buddy systems sorted out or carry redundancy.
And yes, I do regard SCUBA as life support equipment. What's the quote about the hostile environment?
paddydiver
Contributor
Well, first of all, a twinset with with multiple stage tanks is also a Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. So, I guess that answers the basic question. It's very much supporting your life underwater and you are not swimming to the surface if it fails.
Second, in my opinion, promoting the idea that you can swim to the surface is exactly the wrong way to go about things and is seeding dangerous ways of thinking. If you're taught that your scuba gear is keeping you alive underwater you are going in with a safety mindset. You will check and double check your gear, learn to safely dive with a buddy and watch your air consumption underwater. CESA is an absolute last, **** hits the fan option. After a period of time underwater it's risky from any depth but from 30m? How many people will calmly swim to the surface with no air from that depth? How many times has the man himself tried a swim like that?
Second, in my opinion, promoting the idea that you can swim to the surface is exactly the wrong way to go about things and is seeding dangerous ways of thinking. If you're taught that your scuba gear is keeping you alive underwater you are going in with a safety mindset. You will check and double check your gear, learn to safely dive with a buddy and watch your air consumption underwater. CESA is an absolute last, **** hits the fan option. After a period of time underwater it's risky from any depth but from 30m? How many people will calmly swim to the surface with no air from that depth? How many times has the man himself tried a swim like that?
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