Make-shift Dive rig for Bottom Cleaning

[zstine]

I've been holding my breath to clean the bottom and, well, the bottom doesn't stay clean that way. I've got some parts laying around and think I can make a safe mini dive bell like setup to allow easier bottom cleaning at low/no cost. I attached a schematic, but the idea is basically to take a 5 gal. bucket and sink it upside-down with my spare anchor. I would then have a line(s) cleated to the deck to keep the bucket at the proper depth, near my work area. I'd still hold my breath, but I wouldn't need to surface to get air, just go back to the bucket. I have a pump to supply air and do plan to add that for a fresh air supply.. but was wondering how many times you could take a breath off the 5 gal bucket if you were re-breathing your air, eliminating the pump. Comments, risks, other ideas?
Thanks,
Zach

[paulajayne]

Inhaled air circa 20% O2 - Exhaled circa 16% - so to be safe twice.

[Charlie]

Do you have shore power? If so you can use an oilless compressor to make a hookah system.

[zstine]

Charlie, thanks for the reply, but no shore power. This is for extended cruising at anchor.

[Cheechako]

Waste of time. You are not far under to clean your hull, easier to just surface and get air. When you are at the aft end of the boat and your bucket is near the center or anywhere else it will be more work to use the bucket.

[paulajayne]

A floating snorkel can work down to about 1 metre depth - deeper than that and your lungs cannot pull the air in. Dead air in the tube will be a problem so two tubes - inlet and outlet will be best - fitted with a non return valve in the inlet side.

OR

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqznHJnoE2E

[zstine]

paulajayne, if I use a 5 gal collapsible air bag (water bag) or the 5 gal bucket, then the air pressure is equalized with the diver at depth. Per wiki the average man breaths 6 L/min at rest. That means I'd have 3.33 breaths in 5 gal. double that if you rebreathe the air for almost 7 breaths.... when I dive my keel holding my breath (7.3 draft), I haev only a few seconds of work time before I need to surface. having a bag with 7 breaths would really help. I just don't want to die

[fstbttms]

I guarantee that after a few hurried attempts to squeeze your head in between the bucket lip and the metal bucket handle, you will realize what a waste of time this idea is.

[zstine]

ftsbttms, what if I use a collapsible water jug like this...

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by zstine

ftsbttms, what if I use a collapsible water jug like this...

I suspect that as you use the air inside the jug, it will collapse.

[zstine]

I'm thinking I'd be rebreathing, so I'd exhale back into the bag. Seems reasonable that I could get a 5min dive off a 5 gal bag. Then its up to the surface to quickly exchange the CO2 laden air with fresh air and back down for another ~5min. Does that make sense?

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by zstine

I'm thinking I'd be rebreathing, so I'd exhale back into the bag. Seems reasonable that I could get a 5min dive off a 5 gal bag. Then its up to the surface to quickly exchange the CO2 laden air with fresh air and back down for another ~5min. Does that make sense?

1.- You will not be exhaling the same volume of gas back into the jug as you are inhaling out of it.

2.- Upon further reflection; I suspect that water pressure will collapse the jug as it submerges.

[zstine]

Paulajayne.. Do you need SCUBA cert for the electric snorkel?? I'm pretty sure a hookah does require SCUBA, at least in the USA, and the electric snorkel is pretty close to a hookah. In the USA I probably need a cert just to take a breath off an air bag... I dont' know?

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by zstine

Paulajayne.. Do you need SCUBA cert for the electric snorkel?? I'm pretty sure a hookah does require SCUBA, at least in the USA, and the electric snorkel is pretty close to a hookah. In the USA I probably need a cert just to take a breath off an air bag... I dont' know?

SCUBA doesn't even require a certification. To refill tanks you need a certification, but to use the gear you do not.

There are no regulations concerning any aspect of hookah use.

[Mark Stillwell]

I do a lot of things myself. Making a breathing apparatus is not one of them. I investing in learning to dive and equipment a few years ago. The $1,500 has been a good investment.