Thoughts about really long dive

[divebostonforcharity]

What about using Argon to fill your drysuit? That should drop your heat transfer by a bit.

I've seen at least one person in town, in real life, using an Argon drysuit fill.

You do have to be careful, as you'll die halfway through a deep breath of Argon.

I plan to use argon for my dry suit. I've never actually seen anybody using it but it must be somewhat common because there are a good half dozen models of argon pony bottle regs. I have to figure out where to get argon fills around Boston.

 

[doctormike]

Although David Blaine might not be the best resource, I do plan to talk to Jerry Hall as he did something similar but much longer in fresh water.

Here are some photos I took at his 2006 stunt in New York City...

David Blaine: Drowned Alive

An odd performance, but it had a certain visual appeal!

Mike

 

[Web Monkey]

I plan to use argon for my dry suit. I've never actually seen anybody using it but it must be somewhat common because there are a good half dozen models of argon pony bottle regs. I have to figure out where to get argon fills around Boston.

You're making this all more difficult than it needs to be.

Since lead and buoyancy aren't a problem there's no reason to use Argon. Instead, you can just use thicker underwear.

Terry

 

[dumpsterDiver]

The more I think about it, a very comfortable solution could be an underwater tent that is anchored securely to the bottom. You crawl in/under it, stretch out, removal most of your lead and then just lay under it. Obviously, it would have to be a very strong "tent" or tarp and would need to be re-inforced so that there is no possibity that it would tear or allow you to pop to the surface. Probably would need vent holes so that bubbles don't accumulate and make a large bouyant force.

 

[Web Monkey]

The whole thing sounds pretty risky, so be careful...

Maybe talk to David Blaine for advice... I stopped by Lincoln Center several times to check him out when he spend 177 hours under water a few years ago... He used a facemask and surface supply, but there are probably some things that are similar!

Mike

AFAIK, he was in water that was a lot cleaner than Boston Harbor, and from the lack of exposure protection, I'd guess it was also heated.

Terry

 

[divebostonforcharity]

Thats true. The thing is, my underwear is already really really thick and I figured inflating it with argon should mean the gas inside the suit is less thermally conductive than it would be if it is air. That said, I can still hook a bottle of argon up via a longer hose and put the bottle on the platform instead of mounting it on my BP.

 

[divebostonforcharity]

AFAIK, he was in water that was a lot cleaner than Boston Harbor, and from the lack of exposure protection, I'd guess it was also heated.

Terry

He was in a very heated pool using surface supply air and a commercial diving hat. It was also filtered to remove urine etc continually.