I think it is important to block the mouth. I don't know how likely it is for a blackoutee to inhale water, or after how long would it happen, but I heard that it happened recently in a competition. Preventing the blackoutee/samba-doer from inhaling water is very important.
Another question I thought of recently: if someone is doing dynamic without a full mask or noseclip, and they BO on the bottom of the deep end of the pool, is it important for the rescuer to cover their mouth and nose while carrying them to the surface?
I thought of this because we were doing practice rescues in the pool, and I was being 'rescued' from the deep end. The rescuer turned me on my back on the way to the surface, and I had to exhale to avoid getting water in my nose. This wasn't a problem because it was only a practice rescue and I was conscious, but in a real-life scenario I would probably have inhaled a small amount of water. This is because if there is water in my nose and I am turned on my back on the surface, the only place it can go is in my airway.
Also, that's the first time I've seen the word 'blackoutee'! Makes it sound like a career option!
Lucia
