[alex_russu]

I’ve seen quite a few different techniques for safety freedivers to bring up the black-out victims. All of them were focusing on bringing the athlete to the surface as fast as possible, but not everybody was also concerned to keep the victim’s airways blocked (to prevent water getting into the lungs)

Kirk Krak (PFI) was explaining during a safety seminar that salty water is extremely dangerous for the lungs creating long term damages on the cells. He was also saying that it’s easier to reanimate a BO victim who spent a few more seconds in the water that one who had been taken up fast but inhaled water on the way.
So the conclusion was that is better to block the victim’s airways on the way up even if this position may not allow the fastest ascent and you can loose a few seconds.

During an AIDA seminar that I recently joined the instructor was teaching us to bring the victim to the surface without blocking his/her airways on the way up.

With the above introduction, I would like to have your comments on the pros & cons of blocking the airways of the BO victims during the ascent.

PS: I’m doing safety in competitions so if you’re an athlete I’m sure you don’t want me to hesitate.