For some time I have been a passive reader of these forums but an issue came to my attention which seemed important enough for me put my silence aside.
Yesterday, the managing lifeguard at the Cheyenne Municipal Pool in Wyoming handed me a copy of an article that appeared in the February 2005 issue of Aquatics International magazine which circulates to pool managers (private, municipal, and school pools) across the United States and presumably throughout the world. This article by Walter Griffiths and Tom Griffiths is titled "Dying for Air" and subtitled in the magazine with "Prolonged underwater breath holding is a silent, overlooked, killer. Here's why the practice should be banned."
You may read the entire article at http://www.aquaticsintl.com/2005/feb/0502_perspectives.html I found this article to be misinformed, alarmist, and to sensationalize
The inspiration for the article is the death of young man over ten years from presumably underwater breath-holding. He supposedly was practicing "hypoxic training (competitive and repetitive breath-hold swimming) that evening." What is unclear is whether he was practicing alone by himself after hours. The article states that he was found "the next day."
The article attributes his death to "shallow water blackout." From my understanding of shallow water blackout, it occurs mostly or maybe exclusively in depth apnea disciplines like constant weight when returning to the surface and the partial pressure of O2 and CO2 changes due to lower water pressure near the surface. The article goes on put forth the usual knowledge about CO2 triggering breath, low levels of O2, and endorphins. In conclusion, it calls for lifeguards to stop anyone practicing apnea and to recover anyone who is underwater. It states that "lifeguards, competitive swimmers and others must never be allowed to compete underwater." In my opinion, this article exemplifies the old adage that "a little knowledge can be dangerous."
This article may jeopardize our ability as freedivers to practice apnea in swimming pools. I know that I will now have to educate the management and lifeguards of the various pools in Cheyenne about apnea despite over three years of practicing safely in their pools. The authority that comes from the printed word in an international magazine could make it difficult. In additional, this article could harm public perception of freediving and might make obtaining insurance more difficult. With this misinformation in print, it could lead to other and more widespread article, reports, and features which might possibly shut freedivers out of swimming pools everywhere.
I humbly ask the leaders of the freediving community to contact Aquatics International and ask to publish a rebuttal article correcting the misinformation put forth in "Dying for Air." I would suggest that the presidents of USAA, CAFA, and AIDA together might bring sufficient clout to realize such a request. Determining the circumstances of this death might also determine whether this young man was acting responsibly. It's best to nip this error in the bud before it becomes a widespread and massive problem.
I know that I will need some back-up and some credible references when talking to our local pool managers. A rebuttal article in the same magazine would assure them that the practice can be safe.
In peace,
Glen
Yesterday, the managing lifeguard at the Cheyenne Municipal Pool in Wyoming handed me a copy of an article that appeared in the February 2005 issue of Aquatics International magazine which circulates to pool managers (private, municipal, and school pools) across the United States and presumably throughout the world. This article by Walter Griffiths and Tom Griffiths is titled "Dying for Air" and subtitled in the magazine with "Prolonged underwater breath holding is a silent, overlooked, killer. Here's why the practice should be banned."
You may read the entire article at http://www.aquaticsintl.com/2005/feb/0502_perspectives.html I found this article to be misinformed, alarmist, and to sensationalize
The inspiration for the article is the death of young man over ten years from presumably underwater breath-holding. He supposedly was practicing "hypoxic training (competitive and repetitive breath-hold swimming) that evening." What is unclear is whether he was practicing alone by himself after hours. The article states that he was found "the next day."
The article attributes his death to "shallow water blackout." From my understanding of shallow water blackout, it occurs mostly or maybe exclusively in depth apnea disciplines like constant weight when returning to the surface and the partial pressure of O2 and CO2 changes due to lower water pressure near the surface. The article goes on put forth the usual knowledge about CO2 triggering breath, low levels of O2, and endorphins. In conclusion, it calls for lifeguards to stop anyone practicing apnea and to recover anyone who is underwater. It states that "lifeguards, competitive swimmers and others must never be allowed to compete underwater." In my opinion, this article exemplifies the old adage that "a little knowledge can be dangerous."
This article may jeopardize our ability as freedivers to practice apnea in swimming pools. I know that I will now have to educate the management and lifeguards of the various pools in Cheyenne about apnea despite over three years of practicing safely in their pools. The authority that comes from the printed word in an international magazine could make it difficult. In additional, this article could harm public perception of freediving and might make obtaining insurance more difficult. With this misinformation in print, it could lead to other and more widespread article, reports, and features which might possibly shut freedivers out of swimming pools everywhere.
I humbly ask the leaders of the freediving community to contact Aquatics International and ask to publish a rebuttal article correcting the misinformation put forth in "Dying for Air." I would suggest that the presidents of USAA, CAFA, and AIDA together might bring sufficient clout to realize such a request. Determining the circumstances of this death might also determine whether this young man was acting responsibly. It's best to nip this error in the bud before it becomes a widespread and massive problem.
I know that I will need some back-up and some credible references when talking to our local pool managers. A rebuttal article in the same magazine would assure them that the practice can be safe.
In peace,
Glen