Dive Kayak
Registered
I am a certified recreational diver that is exploring the use of emergency air for whitewater kayaking, including extreme, big water conditions. There are a variety of hazards in whitewater that may cause the need for emergency air. It would be rare for a kayaker to ever breathe emergency air at a depth of ten feet, and most hazards would be in three feet of water or less. However, there are some situations where a kayaker ends up swimming in huge whitewater where the hydraulic forces would make his depth vary, but again, probably not more than ten feet. The theory being explored is that if a kayaker can increase the time between respirations (hold his breath or very slow breathing), his emergency air will last longer, increasing his chance for self-rescue, or rescue by others.
Are there any MD's, or other knowledgeable divers, that can comment on the chance of air embolism in 3-5 feet of water. My layman's thinking tells me that unless your lungs are completely full, the chance of air expansion sufficient to cause an embolism is pretty low in 3-5 feet of water. How about ten feet of water?
Thanks in advance for any constructive comments.
Are there any MD's, or other knowledgeable divers, that can comment on the chance of air embolism in 3-5 feet of water. My layman's thinking tells me that unless your lungs are completely full, the chance of air expansion sufficient to cause an embolism is pretty low in 3-5 feet of water. How about ten feet of water?
Thanks in advance for any constructive comments.