breathing underwater

[Figment]

at a boat show a few years back, someone was selling this thing that was basically a dive bouy with a 12' air hose attached that would let you dive to clean the bottom or check props and zincs etc. while breathing normally. I haven't seen one since.

Does this ring a bell with anyone? is this a product that died quickly, or are they everywhere and I'm just blind.

[Figment]

at a boat show a few years back, someone was selling this thing that was basically a dive bouy with a 12' air hose attached that would let you dive to clean the bottom or check props and zincs etc. while breathing normally. I haven't seen one since.

Does this ring a bell with anyone? is this a product that died quickly, or are they everywhere and I'm just blind.

[Figment]

at a boat show a few years back, someone was selling this thing that was basically a dive bouy with a 12' air hose attached that would let you dive to clean the bottom or check props and zincs etc. while breathing normally. I haven't seen one since.

Does this ring a bell with anyone? is this a product that died quickly, or are they everywhere and I'm just blind.

[Donn]

You probably don't see them commercially, because they're so easy to fabricate yourself. Mine is 10' of Tempo gas-can fuel line hose, with a 2" rubber funnel on the mouth end. The other end is simply glued up thru a hole in a round piece of styrofoam which is, in turn, glued into the center of a 10" donut float. Floats the tip of the hose about 6" above the surface. Works perfectly. That, with my wife's cast-off 5# ankle weights to hold me down, and I can spend all the time I need under the boats.

[Donn]

You probably don't see them commercially, because they're so easy to fabricate yourself. Mine is 10' of Tempo gas-can fuel line hose, with a 2" rubber funnel on the mouth end. The other end is simply glued up thru a hole in a round piece of styrofoam which is, in turn, glued into the center of a 10" donut float. Floats the tip of the hose about 6" above the surface. Works perfectly. That, with my wife's cast-off 5# ankle weights to hold me down, and I can spend all the time I need under the boats.

[Donn]

You probably don't see them commercially, because they're so easy to fabricate yourself. Mine is 10' of Tempo gas-can fuel line hose, with a 2" rubber funnel on the mouth end. The other end is simply glued up thru a hole in a round piece of styrofoam which is, in turn, glued into the center of a 10" donut float. Floats the tip of the hose about 6" above the surface. Works perfectly. That, with my wife's cast-off 5# ankle weights to hold me down, and I can spend all the time I need under the boats.

[Figment]

Yeah, that does sound pretty easy.

the one I remember had a bit more to it... there was a small airpump in the float powered by D batteries, and a checkvalve in the mouthpiece (just like real scuba gear) that bubbled-out your exhaust breath so you're always breathing fresh new air. I suppose one could just breathe out through the nose and perform the same function, but this thing came in a nice pretty package......

dad's birthday is coming up, and he's already on his second set of shaft zincs for the season. I told my brother to get the mask and fins and I'd track this thing down. I'm a sucker.

[Figment]

Yeah, that does sound pretty easy.

the one I remember had a bit more to it... there was a small airpump in the float powered by D batteries, and a checkvalve in the mouthpiece (just like real scuba gear) that bubbled-out your exhaust breath so you're always breathing fresh new air. I suppose one could just breathe out through the nose and perform the same function, but this thing came in a nice pretty package......

dad's birthday is coming up, and he's already on his second set of shaft zincs for the season. I told my brother to get the mask and fins and I'd track this thing down. I'm a sucker.

[Figment]

Yeah, that does sound pretty easy.

the one I remember had a bit more to it... there was a small airpump in the float powered by D batteries, and a checkvalve in the mouthpiece (just like real scuba gear) that bubbled-out your exhaust breath so you're always breathing fresh new air. I suppose one could just breathe out through the nose and perform the same function, but this thing came in a nice pretty package......

dad's birthday is coming up, and he's already on his second set of shaft zincs for the season. I told my brother to get the mask and fins and I'd track this thing down. I'm a sucker.

[Ian McColgin]

The things exist and work.

Homemade units can work but you must be very careful since not all pumps will give you pure enough air. Oil contamination etc.

G'luck

[Ian McColgin]

The things exist and work.

Homemade units can work but you must be very careful since not all pumps will give you pure enough air. Oil contamination etc.

G'luck

[Ian McColgin]

The things exist and work.

Homemade units can work but you must be very careful since not all pumps will give you pure enough air. Oil contamination etc.

G'luck

[paladin]

Use EXTREME caution here......Theoretically about three feet under wate is about as far as you can go below the surface and still breath naturally through a "snorkel" or similar device. If you are thinking about a "Brownies Lung" a device somewhat like an innertube with a compressor and hose with SCUBA regulator attached....use caution here also....The first problem is that an oilless compressor must be used as Ian has pointed out...the second...on a still day without much surface wind some of the exhaust can be captured, compressed, and piped down the tube...and carbon monoxide ain't good fer ya either.......why not just get a small bottle to go with scuba gear or a long hose for existing large tanks and set the tank on deck......

[paladin]

Use EXTREME caution here......Theoretically about three feet under wate is about as far as you can go below the surface and still breath naturally through a "snorkel" or similar device. If you are thinking about a "Brownies Lung" a device somewhat like an innertube with a compressor and hose with SCUBA regulator attached....use caution here also....The first problem is that an oilless compressor must be used as Ian has pointed out...the second...on a still day without much surface wind some of the exhaust can be captured, compressed, and piped down the tube...and carbon monoxide ain't good fer ya either.......why not just get a small bottle to go with scuba gear or a long hose for existing large tanks and set the tank on deck......

[paladin]

Use EXTREME caution here......Theoretically about three feet under wate is about as far as you can go below the surface and still breath naturally through a "snorkel" or similar device. If you are thinking about a "Brownies Lung" a device somewhat like an innertube with a compressor and hose with SCUBA regulator attached....use caution here also....The first problem is that an oilless compressor must be used as Ian has pointed out...the second...on a still day without much surface wind some of the exhaust can be captured, compressed, and piped down the tube...and carbon monoxide ain't good fer ya either.......why not just get a small bottle to go with scuba gear or a long hose for existing large tanks and set the tank on deck......

[Donn]

I guess that's about right, Paladin. My boat draws 3'...but I picked the 10' length because I can easily blow it clear, and I can get under to the transducer without pulling the float under. The much narrower gas-line tubing is also much easier to 'pull' on than a standard sized snorkle tube. I tried connecting a wider hose to an old fashioned snorkle, and the volume required to blow it clear was too much.

[Donn]

I guess that's about right, Paladin. My boat draws 3'...but I picked the 10' length because I can easily blow it clear, and I can get under to the transducer without pulling the float under. The much narrower gas-line tubing is also much easier to 'pull' on than a standard sized snorkle tube. I tried connecting a wider hose to an old fashioned snorkle, and the volume required to blow it clear was too much.

[Donn]

I guess that's about right, Paladin. My boat draws 3'...but I picked the 10' length because I can easily blow it clear, and I can get under to the transducer without pulling the float under. The much narrower gas-line tubing is also much easier to 'pull' on than a standard sized snorkle tube. I tried connecting a wider hose to an old fashioned snorkle, and the volume required to blow it clear was too much.

[JimJ]

I would be careful about breathing through a length of hose longer than the length of a normal snorkel.

You will end up breathing your own expired air as the volume you breath out will remain in the hose. When you breath in, all you will get is your expired air which will be then breathed out and become more and more concentrated with CO2.

It is the same as putting a paper bag over your mouth to stop hyperventilation. As you breath a more concentrated CO2 mixture your breathing slows down.

[ 08-08-2002, 08:30 PM: Message edited by: JimJ ]

[JimJ]

I would be careful about breathing through a length of hose longer than the length of a normal snorkel.

You will end up breathing your own expired air as the volume you breath out will remain in the hose. When you breath in, all you will get is your expired air which will be then breathed out and become more and more concentrated with CO2.

It is the same as putting a paper bag over your mouth to stop hyperventilation. As you breath a more concentrated CO2 mixture your breathing slows down.

[ 08-08-2002, 08:30 PM: Message edited by: JimJ ]

[JimJ]

I would be careful about breathing through a length of hose longer than the length of a normal snorkel.

You will end up breathing your own expired air as the volume you breath out will remain in the hose. When you breath in, all you will get is your expired air which will be then breathed out and become more and more concentrated with CO2.

It is the same as putting a paper bag over your mouth to stop hyperventilation. As you breath a more concentrated CO2 mixture your breathing slows down.

[ 08-08-2002, 08:30 PM: Message edited by: JimJ ]

[Donn]

JimJ...the key to the system is the system. The lungs are the pump, they power the system. The mouth is the intake side, and the nose is the exhaust side. In thru the mouth, out thru the nose. It's very simple, and almost intuitive when you're under water.

[Donn]

JimJ...the key to the system is the system. The lungs are the pump, they power the system. The mouth is the intake side, and the nose is the exhaust side. In thru the mouth, out thru the nose. It's very simple, and almost intuitive when you're under water.

[Donn]

JimJ...the key to the system is the system. The lungs are the pump, they power the system. The mouth is the intake side, and the nose is the exhaust side. In thru the mouth, out thru the nose. It's very simple, and almost intuitive when you're under water.

[ahp]

Type "Brownies Third Lung" into your browser. I see they have a new Hooka system (Thats what they are called). It is powered from a 12 volt battery and has a low pressure demand regulator mouthpiece, and lists at $599. The oiless compressor looks like a commercially available lowpressure compressor that I have seen elsewhere.

Brownies has a whole line of Hooka system, some gas engine powered and some electric.

It may seem a bit pricy, but if you clean a few other boats, you could get you money back.

[ahp]

Type "Brownies Third Lung" into your browser. I see they have a new Hooka system (Thats what they are called). It is powered from a 12 volt battery and has a low pressure demand regulator mouthpiece, and lists at $599. The oiless compressor looks like a commercially available lowpressure compressor that I have seen elsewhere.

Brownies has a whole line of Hooka system, some gas engine powered and some electric.

It may seem a bit pricy, but if you clean a few other boats, you could get you money back.

[ahp]

Type "Brownies Third Lung" into your browser. I see they have a new Hooka system (Thats what they are called). It is powered from a 12 volt battery and has a low pressure demand regulator mouthpiece, and lists at $599. The oiless compressor looks like a commercially available lowpressure compressor that I have seen elsewhere.

Brownies has a whole line of Hooka system, some gas engine powered and some electric.

It may seem a bit pricy, but if you clean a few other boats, you could get you money back.

[James R]

Try The Air Line (http://www.airlinebyjsink.com) and Surface Dive (http://www.surfacedive.com) . The first uses a small gas engine to drive a compressor and claims that two can dive to 75'. The second sits on the deck of your boat and is connected to the ship's batteries and has 23' of hose.

[James R]

Try The Air Line (http://www.airlinebyjsink.com) and Surface Dive (http://www.surfacedive.com) . The first uses a small gas engine to drive a compressor and claims that two can dive to 75'. The second sits on the deck of your boat and is connected to the ship's batteries and has 23' of hose.

[James R]

Try The Air Line (http://www.airlinebyjsink.com) and Surface Dive (http://www.surfacedive.com) . The first uses a small gas engine to drive a compressor and claims that two can dive to 75'. The second sits on the deck of your boat and is connected to the ship's batteries and has 23' of hose.

[Figment]

AHP, that's pretty much the unit I saw, except that it was smaller and cheaper. I think it was less than $100. really geared more toward boat-bottom maintenance than snorkeling for lobsters. It was only set up for one person (so much for the dive-with-a-buddy rule!) and ran on 4 D-cell batteries.

I think donn may be right on this one.... possibly they made it so simple that it couldn't be successfully marketed because it wasn't a broad enough departure from the homebuilt versions.

[Figment]

AHP, that's pretty much the unit I saw, except that it was smaller and cheaper. I think it was less than $100. really geared more toward boat-bottom maintenance than snorkeling for lobsters. It was only set up for one person (so much for the dive-with-a-buddy rule!) and ran on 4 D-cell batteries.

I think donn may be right on this one.... possibly they made it so simple that it couldn't be successfully marketed because it wasn't a broad enough departure from the homebuilt versions.

[Figment]

AHP, that's pretty much the unit I saw, except that it was smaller and cheaper. I think it was less than $100. really geared more toward boat-bottom maintenance than snorkeling for lobsters. It was only set up for one person (so much for the dive-with-a-buddy rule!) and ran on 4 D-cell batteries.

I think donn may be right on this one.... possibly they made it so simple that it couldn't be successfully marketed because it wasn't a broad enough departure from the homebuilt versions.

[ahp]

Sailortect,

I am really sceptical about a Hooka system powered by four "D" cells, even for very shallow diving. I think more power would be needed, but I can be convinced. Does anyone know of a commercial source?

[ahp]

Sailortect,

I am really sceptical about a Hooka system powered by four "D" cells, even for very shallow diving. I think more power would be needed, but I can be convinced. Does anyone know of a commercial source?

[ahp]

Sailortect,

I am really sceptical about a Hooka system powered by four "D" cells, even for very shallow diving. I think more power would be needed, but I can be convinced. Does anyone know of a commercial source?

[Figment]

yeah, 4 D-cells isn't a lot of juice, and I recall the guy at the booth saying something about how it burns a set of batteries every 8 hours of use. and it wasn't a "pump" exactly, it was more like a squirrelcage type centrifugal air blower.

but bear in mind the intended application: occasional underhull maintenance. 6' deep for 30 minutes usually.... 2 hours max. or, (far more likely) 10 minutes to cut a fouled line from your propshaft in a pinch. it sounds like Donnwest does that depth and time with his homebuilt unit. I figure whatever boost the D-powered blower delivers is pure gravy.

-

[Figment]

yeah, 4 D-cells isn't a lot of juice, and I recall the guy at the booth saying something about how it burns a set of batteries every 8 hours of use. and it wasn't a "pump" exactly, it was more like a squirrelcage type centrifugal air blower.

but bear in mind the intended application: occasional underhull maintenance. 6' deep for 30 minutes usually.... 2 hours max. or, (far more likely) 10 minutes to cut a fouled line from your propshaft in a pinch. it sounds like Donnwest does that depth and time with his homebuilt unit. I figure whatever boost the D-powered blower delivers is pure gravy.

-

[Figment]

yeah, 4 D-cells isn't a lot of juice, and I recall the guy at the booth saying something about how it burns a set of batteries every 8 hours of use. and it wasn't a "pump" exactly, it was more like a squirrelcage type centrifugal air blower.

but bear in mind the intended application: occasional underhull maintenance. 6' deep for 30 minutes usually.... 2 hours max. or, (far more likely) 10 minutes to cut a fouled line from your propshaft in a pinch. it sounds like Donnwest does that depth and time with his homebuilt unit. I figure whatever boost the D-powered blower delivers is pure gravy.

-

[ahp]

Ambient pressure at depth is .433 psi per foot of depth in fresh water, and slightly more in seawater. Therefore this pump, blower, whatever will need to generate at least 2.6 psi for 6 feet of depth.

Humans breath about 1.0 cubic feet of air per minute. If the system is a free flow system there will be a lot of waste (while the diver is exhaling) and the pump will need to deliver 2 to 4 cu ft/ min, at 2.6 lbs/sq in.

I am still sceptical of four "D" cells for eight hours.

[ahp]

Ambient pressure at depth is .433 psi per foot of depth in fresh water, and slightly more in seawater. Therefore this pump, blower, whatever will need to generate at least 2.6 psi for 6 feet of depth.

Humans breath about 1.0 cubic feet of air per minute. If the system is a free flow system there will be a lot of waste (while the diver is exhaling) and the pump will need to deliver 2 to 4 cu ft/ min, at 2.6 lbs/sq in.

I am still sceptical of four "D" cells for eight hours.

[ahp]

Ambient pressure at depth is .433 psi per foot of depth in fresh water, and slightly more in seawater. Therefore this pump, blower, whatever will need to generate at least 2.6 psi for 6 feet of depth.

Humans breath about 1.0 cubic feet of air per minute. If the system is a free flow system there will be a lot of waste (while the diver is exhaling) and the pump will need to deliver 2 to 4 cu ft/ min, at 2.6 lbs/sq in.

I am still sceptical of four "D" cells for eight hours.