This could totally be my newbness showing, so please help me understand where I'm going wrong in these thoughts.
The 3 main things we worry about on CCR are hypoxia, hyperoxia, and hypercapnia. Right?
In all 3 cases, the normal result, if unmitigated, is the diver loses consciousness, then loses the loop from their mouth, then drowns. In the case of hypoxia, even if they don't lose the loop, if the diver is breathing something hypoxic enough, I guess they will eventually die anyway. And if they are hypercapnic, again I suppose that even if they don't lose the loop, they will eventually die, right?
But, am I correct in thinking that, in all cases, if the diver loses consciousness and the loop stays in their mouth and at least somewhat sealed against flooding, their chance of survival is substantially increased?
I feel pretty safe in saying that if you go hyperoxic, have a CNS OxTox hit, and eventually pass out, as long as the loop stays in and doesn't flood, you will survive (pending no other complications, of course, like dropping to the bottom of the Marianna Trench while unconscious).
If you pass out from hypoxia, I am thinking that continuing to breathe a hypoxic mix will still keep you alive for longer than if you inhale water. If you lose depth, your hypoxic mix might even become breathable again and possibly you will revive on your own? Do you stop breathing quickly after losing consciousness from hypoxia? I think you do not, but I don't know for sure.
The big question mark in my mind is hypercapnia. I suspect that if you go hypercapnic to the point of LOC, the only way you are going to even have a chance of coming back from that is if you get much shallower (maybe) or to the surface and have a chance to start breathing surface air. Or if you have a BOV and someone switches it to OC for you.
All of these scenarios seem to make a case in favor of a gag strap. And, really, in favor of a gag strap and a BOV.
Insight from someone who has more experience (which ain't sayin' much!) would be very welcome!!
The 3 main things we worry about on CCR are hypoxia, hyperoxia, and hypercapnia. Right?
In all 3 cases, the normal result, if unmitigated, is the diver loses consciousness, then loses the loop from their mouth, then drowns. In the case of hypoxia, even if they don't lose the loop, if the diver is breathing something hypoxic enough, I guess they will eventually die anyway. And if they are hypercapnic, again I suppose that even if they don't lose the loop, they will eventually die, right?
But, am I correct in thinking that, in all cases, if the diver loses consciousness and the loop stays in their mouth and at least somewhat sealed against flooding, their chance of survival is substantially increased?
I feel pretty safe in saying that if you go hyperoxic, have a CNS OxTox hit, and eventually pass out, as long as the loop stays in and doesn't flood, you will survive (pending no other complications, of course, like dropping to the bottom of the Marianna Trench while unconscious).
If you pass out from hypoxia, I am thinking that continuing to breathe a hypoxic mix will still keep you alive for longer than if you inhale water. If you lose depth, your hypoxic mix might even become breathable again and possibly you will revive on your own? Do you stop breathing quickly after losing consciousness from hypoxia? I think you do not, but I don't know for sure.
The big question mark in my mind is hypercapnia. I suspect that if you go hypercapnic to the point of LOC, the only way you are going to even have a chance of coming back from that is if you get much shallower (maybe) or to the surface and have a chance to start breathing surface air. Or if you have a BOV and someone switches it to OC for you.
All of these scenarios seem to make a case in favor of a gag strap. And, really, in favor of a gag strap and a BOV.
Insight from someone who has more experience (which ain't sayin' much!) would be very welcome!!