Snorkel-buoy??

[alan43]

Does anyone know whether there is such a device as a swimmer's snorkel connected by tubing to a small buoy?
I have this vague memory of seeing an advert in PBO maybe 2 (?) years ago, but I can't find it in any of my old magazines, so it might just be wishful imagination.

I'm well aware that it would be impractical at any significant depth, but all I want to be able to do is to duck under the boat (to a depth of maybe 2 feet) when necessary to get rid of fishing line/plastic bags wrapped round the prop, and to clear the log impeller, without having to come up for air every 10 seconds.

Pointers to the PBO issue+page number, or to a supplier's web site, or even old-fashioned name + address + telephone number would be appreciated.

 

[Bodach na mara]

Why not make one? A bit of suitable thick-walled tube and a snorkel for a basis and an old pneumatic wheel for the buoy. Lead the tube up through the centre hole and secure to a post of some sort pointing upward.

I have to warn you that I have thought of doing this years ago when I picked up some weed, but the cold water put me off and I left the job to my son, who did it with just a face mask. Mind you he took off under the pontoon after a close-up view of a lion's-mane jellyfish and refused to go back in to check that the prop was completely clear!

 

[alan43]

Yes, I had thought of something like that, but I would hope that a commercially-available device would have two tubes with simple non-return valves.

 

[alan]

I was talking about something like this with a doctor friend at the weekend, and his opnion was that using something like this without a 'valve' (as used by sub-aqua regulators),you would run the risk of carbon dioxide poisoning because the air you breath out would remain in the tube and you would be re-breathing it. Of course for a short period you would probably be OK.

I did see sometime ago (in PBO I think) a small cheap electric compressor which is attached by a tube to a face mask with a regulator and valve which was designed especially for the task of cleaning under the boat/prop e.t.c. I think it could have been American.

Alan.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Want to breathe through some sort of 2' long snorkel, not a hope!! Afraid it won't be possible due to pressures etc and the reinhalation of spent air. Just come up for air and dive down again, much easier than you might think.

 

[Sean]

Second longjohnsilver. Even breathing at the depth of the snorkel length (if that's English...) is extremely laborious. Befriend a diver...

Sean /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[BobOwen]

As already mentioned, there is no hope of sucking air down to 2ft depth.

You may be thinking of the Hookah systems that are available. There is some info here on suitable DIY compressors. A google search on "hookah / diving" will bring up more.

This is a system that uses a diving regulator and a surface compressor, supplying air at pressure, via a long pipe. Much simpler and cheaper than a diving rig. In the states there are two man systems available for around £350.

These are popular and I believe quite good if the limitations are understood. It is still diving though, with all the inherent dangers for the uninitiated.

 

[l'escargot]

You need pressurised air even at 2 feet. Some years ago Andark diving bought out a kit that consisted of a manual pump attached to a regulator by a couple of metres of hose specifically for this sort of thing. It was good down to a metre or so and you had to have someone on board to pump for you. I remember it being demonstrated at one of the boatshows or something. Don't know whether it caught on or is still available.

 

[BrendanS]

Will third LJS. My father, while in RAF during WWII tried to jury rig something like this with gas mask and wire reinforced pipe, and dive in Red Sea(? memory of such tales, told as a child, dims with age). Largely due to his older brother having built and used a Jacque Cousteau type early scuba. I grew up reading JC books and articles from 50's and what wonderful imagery it conjured. But no way you can go even 2' deep with a snorkel

 

[William_H]

I would suggest that assuming you are in UK you firstly get a wet suit and weight belt. If you get some practice at diving holding breath you will find you can stay under for long enough to do most jobs under a boat. I have a scuba set up but never use it as a snorkel is so much easier for cleaning the bottom. (59yo) I don't think the pressure is a problem at 2 feet down but the volume of air in the snorkel which would be rebreathed is the problem. So consider a manual bellows blowing a large volume of air down a tube about 2 inches in diameter which then returns to the surface.
Your snorkel mouth piece should tap into the bottom (middle) of this tube with a short tube. This would mean you are breathing from a flowing air source. You would need a weight on the loop of large dia. tube to hold it down. That is just an idea but try holding breath it must be good exercise.
good luck olewill