A little low-tech fun for the weekend Sir?

[azapa]

I guess all the pros already know their lung volumes via spirometer tests. I had no idea, so did this DIY test. I would be interested to see non-packed volumes vs height and weight of more DB'ers. Opinions as to the validity of this test in general welcome:

- take a snorkel and firmly tape a supermarket bag to the end. it should be a large softish bag, tape up so that there are no air leaks, duct tape works well
- see if you can swivel the snorkel/mouth piece 180 degrees, so the bag is facing down
- take a large bucket and fill it with water, a 20Lt one is great. make sure it's full to overflowing
- empty the bag, suck on the snorkel until it's completely collapsed, hold neck of bag shut with hand
- do a regular breathe up, and fill the bag with your entire lung volume (if you can!)
- clasp the neck of the bag, and thrust it into the bucket, displacing water, try not to put your hand in the bucket, only the bag
- with a calibrated jug, measure how much water it takes to refill the bucket 'till just overflowing a couple of drops

I did this twice, my kids were very amused, and the two readings were: 6.4 and 6.6lts. So I guess I have a non-packed lung volume of 6.5Lts. I'm 1.79 and skinny at 68Kgs, so I think its quite good.

 

[deep thinker]

Ill do this tomorrow, sounds interesting

 

[DeepThought]

Notice that your test checks for VC (vital capacity) and not TLC (total lung capacity). Different people have different residual volumes (RV), those can also be checked DIY (in water).
I did a spirometry test in 2002, around when I started freediving.

Height 1.75m
Weight 63kg (then )
TLC 7.25L (predicted value was 6.98L)
VC IN 5.5 (predicted 5.44)
FVC 5.33 (predicted 5.2)
RV 1.75L (predicted value was 1.58L)
I don't really pack. I expect to get different results after a few years of freediving.

 

[island_sands]

- take a snorkel and firmly tape a supermarket bag to the end. it should be a large softish bag, tape up so that there are no air leaks, duct tape works well
- see if you can swivel the snorkel/mouth piece 180 degrees, so the bag is facing down
- take a large bucket and fill it with water, a 20Lt one is great. make sure it's full to overflowing
- empty the bag, suck on the snorkel until it's completely collapsed, hold neck of bag shut with hand
- do a regular breathe up, and fill the bag with your entire lung volume (if you can!)
- clasp the neck of the bag, and thrust it into the bucket, displacing water, try not to put your hand in the bucket, only the bag
- with a calibrated jug, measure how much water it takes to refill the bucket 'till just overflowing a couple of drops

Wow that's quite a test. Rather like trying to suck a golf ball out a hose pipe

Can you get your wife to try it? The reason why I am asking is because women generally have less capacity then men. (Just to make a comparison)

 

[m2b]

Couldn't you check for total capacity(TLC) by doing the same test and changing one small detail...

When you go to exhale into the snorkel someone, preferably with boxing gloves on, punches you real hard in the gut. It does always seem like when you get hit really hard in the gut that you are left gasping for air. Wouldn't being punched in the gut cause you to essentially expel all the air in your lungs, allowing you to check TLC.

Sure it might hurt for a while but you would only have to do the test once, LMAO!!!!!

Sorry, couldn't resist the temptation any longer. I just had to ask.
Ryan

 

[azapa]

OK Guys (and Galls), where are your figures?
DT: I guess my measurement is VC then, should have read my Pelezzari book beforehand as it explains that well.
Sands: the missus has bronchitis now, so it would probably kill her to try......I'll wait a while
Ryan: kind of you to offer the free winding, but no thanks mate, ill make do with the VC measurement..

 

[Samourai]

I did spirometry 1 year ago. Have never tried packing.
Height 175
Weight 90 kg (way too much weight lifting the past few years, I'm more of a seal than dolphin now) rofl
FVC 6,13
FEV1 5.14
I was told this was pretty good for my height.

 

[azapa]

thanks for participating samouri. I am doing a freediving course II soon so hope to have real stats to compare.

 

[naiad]

I once measured my VC and it was 4L without packing and 5L with packing.

 

[azapa]

thanks Lucia.

I am doing a freediving course in November and maybe i'll get to measure on a real machine there. I would be disappointed if they pulled out a snorkel and supermarket bag though..

 

[azapa]

I have to update this with the real results. I took a spirometer test during the FIT course and registered 6.7Lts VC. Not too bad at all compared with the DIY results!!!!