Alternating breathing (diving)
Alternating breathing is a rescue technique when diving when a diving device fails and two divers therefore have to breathe from just one regulator .
Both partners take alternating two breaths from the mouthpiece. The diver who has the still functioning air supply with him also guides the mouthpiece back and forth, while the diver, whose air supply has failed, holds on to his partner with one hand. This way, both divers have one hand free each to tare and operate their instruments.
After the situation has stabilized, the ascent begins with alternating breathing. As with a normal ascent, a moderate ascent speed, any necessary decompression breaks and the safety stop at a depth of three to five meters must be observed to avoid health consequences .
The ascent with alternating breathing places high practical and psychological demands on the divers involved. In addition to the stressful situation that arises from the failure of the device, there is the psychological burden during the entire phase of alternating breathing due to the uninterrupted air supply, which can lead to panic in one or both divers. In this case, an uncontrolled, much too fast and therefore life-threatening ascent usually follows.
Even in training situations in which alternate breathing is practiced or tested, it often becomes apparent how difficult this situation is to master. In order not to have to rely on this risky rescue technique in a real emergency, regulators with octopus or backup regulators are used today almost exclusively , which enable two divers to breathe simultaneously from one diving device. Two completely separate regulators per diving device offer an even higher safety standard. This configuration is mainly used in cold water in order to continue to have a fully functional system when a cylinder valve, e.g. B. due to icing of a regulator, must be closed.
Since a separate second stage has now become the standard, alternate breathing is no longer compulsory in the beginner courses of some training organizations, including SSI and PADI . Much more, one usually limits oneself to the method of breathing from the buddy’s alternative air supply. Alternating breathing can still be taught as an optional exercise, but this is often only the case in advanced courses. In the two-star course from CMAS and in the training of NAUI to become a Rescue Diver , alternating breathing is still an integral part.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Thomas Kromp , Hans J. Roggenbach , Peter Brede Busch : practice of diving . 3. Edition. Delius Klasing Verlag, Bielefeld 2008, ISBN 978-3-7688-1816-2 , p. 274-276 .
- ↑ Basic diving license , Austrian Water Rescue, Regional Association Salzburg, accessed: September 10, 2012
- ^ Drew Richardson: Open Water Diver Manual . 11/04 edition. International PADI, Inc., Rancho Santa Margarita 2004, ISBN 1-878663-16-X , pp. 213-214 .