Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Re: Your Message Sent on Thu, 14 Feb 2002 13:38:48 +0000

[Lew Clayman <lew_clayman@yahoo.com>]

--- Ray Keefer <Ray.Keefer@Sun.COM> wrote:
> Hi Lew,
> 
> Not a typo though I might have the depth off by a few feet. Certainly not
> by 90 (100-10). The difference between your experience and my concern is
> this.

Yes, I understand the difference now.  I misunderstood what was being
discussed.
 
> Free diving starts at the surface. You breath in the air at the surface at
> the ambient pressure at the surface. As you dive down your lungs and other
> bodily air spaces compress as you go down to depth. The air will even
> compress a bit. You might even feel a squeeze on your ear drums. Then as you 
> come up to the surface the air spaces uncompress and you get to the surface 
> with air at the same ambient pressure your started with.

Precisely what I recall.  The ear infections resulted (or so my doctor claimed)
from water which penetrated deep in the ear under pressure and was difficult or
impossible to drain, there to sit and foster the growth of bacteria and
what-not.  "Typical" he told us.... there were a lot of us kids playing at such
depths, so probably he'd seen it several times every summer. 
 
> Stuff like this is why I recommend everyone who messes with subs to take
> scuba certification. Reading about it is one thing. Actually doing it
> makes it real. Remember, it's the little things, like holding your breath,
> that can kill you.

No doubt about it.  Even an ignorant wannabe like myself can imagine an
accident so bad that it becomes necessary to abandon sub and rise alone; one
would be a fool (en route to being a dead fool) to do that without knowing how.

Thanks again

-Lew

=====
"The most important things in life are good friends and a strong bull pen." 
             - Bob Lemon
=====

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