Re: [Paddlewise] Breathing tube

In a message dated 11/9/98 8:57:35 AM Pacific Standard Time, richard_at_saber.net
writes:

<< I just read an article in the new issue of Sea Kayaker magazine (Dec 98)
titled
 Trial By Water: Capsized Off Victoria, BC. In the article the author
mentioned 
 that he forgot to bring his breathing tube, which would have enabled him to
 breathe the air from the cockpit while upside down. Can anyone tell me about
 this tube; what is it made of? what size is it? How is it used? etc? >>

   I used to play around with "breathing tubes" a bunch of years ago for
rolling practice  and just goofy fun. Mine was simply manufactured by taping a
diving regulator mouthpiece to a three foot or so length of garden hose. The
loose end of the hose went through the sprayskirt tube so that when inverted I
could breath the trapped inside the boat. I used to dream of spearing fish
while inverted in my boat, only to find that in practice the process of
capsizing scared everything in the vicinity. Although I had a lot of fun with
my snorkel, I feel that as a rescue device it's really a rather silly piece of
equipment. The time spent practicing with a "breathing tube" could and should
be better spent working on rolling, paddle float rescue, bracing, etc., etc..
Just my personal opinion, for what it's worth. Incidentally, "Sea Kayaker"
magazine had an article on "hull breathing" (the same thing) in the summer
1988 edition for anyone who is interested.

Scott
So.Cal.
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