On 2009-09-28 15:48:03 -0400, rw said:

David LaCourse wrote:
On 2009-09-28 14:31:30 -0400, Bill Grey said:

Yes indeed a simple mistake for the uninitiated but with possible long
lasting consequences. The trick would have been to surface no faster
than your bubbles assuming you were breathing out.


Correct! Years later when I got my NAUI ticket I thought of that day
in Back Lake.

Dave



You wouldn't have had to worry about the bends (nitrogen narcosis) at
that depth. What you should have worried about was the buildup of a
toxic concentration of carbon dioxide in the diving bell.

We had released much of our stored air before we went into the bell.
Took a lung full and back under. The bell wouldn't let us get too much
co2 because after four breaths (two apeace) the water level had risen
(removing the air each breath) to the point were we could hardly get
our lips above the water level. Taking a breath air that is under
pressure at 12 or so feet can be dangerous if you didn't let it out
while surfacing. I know, I know, it is only about 1/3 an atmosphere,
but there is some danger. It certainly was fun!

Dave