Dangers of Hookah Diving
While I agree that hookah diving can be safe, I disagree that the level of caution is overstaed in these threads. Crossing the street is safe and easy to do, as long as you understand "the rules". If you don't, it can be deadly. The same is true of diving using any compressed air. While most of the advice in the treads (about the pluses of hookah diving) are sound, some are a little scary. Basically, any diving under 32' salt water is reasonably safe for a fit person, being overweight, smoking, drug/alchohol use, being tired, etc all can affect it. Add to that the fact that at least one of these suggestions included a 50' hose to the second stage regulator, and you have a potential for some real problems. On one of my early dive trips, my divemaster was telling how when he goes to the British Virgin Islands they're always telling stories of the Americans getting hurt (and killed) crossing the street. We're all used to driving on the right, so we tend to step out in the road after looking to our left to make sure it's clear. Nice and safe here in Texas, but can be fatal in the BVI where they drive on the left. Compressed air completely changes the physiology of breathing. It's important that people understand what they are doing. Also, keep in mind, it's a life-support system.
While I agree that hookah diving can be safe, I disagree that the level of caution is overstaed in these threads. Crossing the street is safe and easy to do, as long as you understand "the rules". If you don't, it can be deadly. The same is true of diving using any compressed air. While most of the advice in the treads (about the pluses of hookah diving) are sound, some are a little scary. Basically, any diving under 32' salt water is reasonably safe for a fit person, being overweight, smoking, drug/alchohol use, being tired, etc all can affect it. Add to that the fact that at least one of these suggestions included a 50' hose to the second stage regulator, and you have a potential for some real problems. On one of my early dive trips, my divemaster was telling how when he goes to the British Virgin Islands they're always telling stories of the Americans getting hurt (and killed) crossing the street. We're all used to driving on the right, so we tend to step out in the road after looking to our left to make sure it's clear. Nice and safe here in Texas, but can be fatal in the BVI where they drive on the left. Compressed air completely changes the physiology of breathing. It's important that people understand what they are doing. Also, keep in mind, it's a life-support system.