Brief Safety message

[blueface]

My name is Gerald Perry (friends call me Skip) and I live on Guam. We have an expanding freediving community here and more than our share of "mishaps". I have an oppurtunity to write an article on a local fishing magazine about "blackout" which is not widely understood and in my opinion the leading cause of deaths among freedivers who are misinformed or not informed at all. I want to write an article in the hope that it might save a life. If anyone has any advice please feel free to send me a pm or email. I want it to be in simple terms. If someone would allow me to, I would email a draft to be evaluated. The magazine is a free publication and I will not use any names besides mine and my friend who agreed to give me some pointers. Here is an outline:

1. What is blackout? Unconsciousness caused by a lack of O2 to the brain. I will elaborate on just a little.

2. Types of bo-Shallow water bo, static apnea bo and surface bo. Also possibility of deep water blackout.

3. Prevention of bo

-do not hyperventilate ( Added after being reminded by trux) Thank you trux!
-apnea should never be practiced alone
-don't stay down too long
-don't go too deep
-be sure to rest 3 to 4 minutes between dives and 8 min on dives deeper than 80 ft.
-stay hydrated before and during apnea
-be aware of fatigue
-Do not exert too much energy during apnea. You will use more O2
-take a freediving course

4. Rescue a bo victim-cover airway, talk to them (don't yell) and tell them to breath.

It's quite a responsibility but I feel that it might make a difference. I have rescued my partner and since them I've read quite a bit on the subject. Please provide criticism and advice. Many if not all spearos who freedive on Guam read "Marianas Fishing Magazine" and they will read what I write.

Thanks!

Skip Perry

 

[hudasmt]

Hi Skip

Why not just write an article on How to Start Safe Freediving and Spearing, because if you write about blackouts and emphasize it as a headliner, maybe authorities will take measures to prevent such sports or practices. Then put the blackout as one of the sub topics on safety procedures or dangers of not adhering to safety standards. Also put some contact infos on Clubs and instructors details to show the right path for newbies.

Just my opinion thou.

Its nice that you are taking the steps to improve the safety and awareness of the sports and your fellow divers.

Cheers to you mate:friday

 

[trux]

You forgot probably the most important thing in prevention of a blackout - do not hyperventilate!

You will find plenty of articles speaking about blackout in freediving, so you may want to look at least at some of them for some inspiration, and to avoid that you forget to mention something really important, like the hyperventilation.

You can look up the term "freediving blackout" in Google, or you can also check some of the documents listed in the Freediving Media Base: blackout @ APNEA.cz

 

[blueface]

You forgot probably the most important thing in prevention of a blackout - do not hyperventilate!

You will find plenty of articles speaking about blackout in freediving, so you may want to look at least at some of them for some inspiration, and to avoid that you forget to mention something really important, like the hyperventilation.

You can look up the term "freediving blackout" in Google, or you can also check some of the documents listed in the Freediving Media Base: blackout @ APNEA.cz

Thanks trux! It's in my original outline I just forgot to put in down.

CO2 causes the urge to breath not a lack of O2. I'll mention how it can occur without warning and hyperventilation will only delay the feeling of air hunger.

Thanks!

Skip Perry

 

[Mullins]

Hyperventilation won't just make you feel better, it will also make you blackout earlier (see Bohr effect). Not a good combination!

 

[alexrom1207]

A while back I had a similar discussion on this site about blackouts, Sambas, and proper rescue techniques. I got some great information about prevention and what to do in the event of a blackout/samba. Here is that thread: http://forums.deeperblue.com/safety/76848-proper-rescue-procedure-black-out.html After that I found a couple of videos that were really helpful in understanding what to watch for. Here is that thread: http://forums.deeperblue.com/safety/77471-samba-video.html
A lot of people commented on both threads and gave some really good information on these subjects. I found the threads to be very informative. Hope they help.

Alex

 

[blueface]

Thanks for your support! It's great to have your input and it gives me a little more confidence to write the article. There is no rush so I'll read more before I write it. It shouldn't be difficult especially since I plan to keep it simple and short. If it looks too complicated and long they might not read it and that would defeat the purpose.

Thanks!

Skip Perry

 

[blueface]

Thanks Dave! I just read that high Co2 levels allows PaO2 levels to drop lower without blacking out. It's very interesting stuff. The CO2 actually increases ones tolerence to hypoxia. My brain is aching but I'll keep reading.

Thanks!

 

[cebaztian]

Maybe something here that might intrest you:

How to handle a freediver suffering from blackout

Sebastian

 

[blueface]

Maybe something here that might intrest you:

How to handle a freediver suffering from blackout

Sebastian

Thank you very much Sebastian. I'll be all over that tomorrow. It will be great!

Skip Perry

 

[Mr. X]

Terry Maas (famous spearo pioneer/author) has a published this article from one of his books on the web for the public good:

Shallow-Water Blackout, from the book BlueWater Hunting and Freediving by Terry Maas​

Required reading for all spearos/freedivers I would think.

 

[blueface]

Terry Maas (famous spearo pioneer/author) has a published this article from one of his books on the web for the public good:

Shallow-Water Blackout, from the book BlueWater Hunting and Freediving by Terry Maas​

Required reading for all spearos/freedivers I would think.

Thanks Mr. X! Terry's article is great. I wish I'd known about it sooner.

Skip