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We were elbow deep in sink suds when Joe Appicella told me about a man who could breathe underwater. I listened as we scraped river rice and half eaten steaks from tin plates.
“Had a swimmer during a big release in the spring, swore he was breathing under water.” Joe worked steady and held his gaze in the sink basin.
“Aww come on Joe, you’re lying. How did he do that?” I said trying to look casual. After witnessing Joe’s expertise during spring training on the Kennebec River, I believed almost anything he said.
“He swam Magic, Bone Cruncher, the whole deal, was down a long time. Hauled him in gasping and bug-eyed. Know the first thing he said?”
“No,” and I paused mid-dish.
“Said when he was in the foam, if he clenched his teeth and sucked real hard, he could get oxygen. Swore he could. Of course, he was from Massachusetts.”
We shared a laugh, but during my rookie season a part of me wondered if a man really could breathe in aerated foam – under water. In six years of kayaking and spending many seconds upside down, I have not accomplished this feat. My dreams of becoming a Merman in a kayak are on hold only because I’m not eager to try my lungs underwater.
On the Hudson River this spring I discovered a device that allows you to breathe with the fish when you need it most. I met an old-school boater named Pierre Cyr who made his own kayaks from molds in the early eighties. Not only did he surf the steepest and fastest holes on the river, he introduced me to an ingenious safety item he carried inside his boat.
We paused to stretch our legs and eat a Power Bar when I noticed the strange looking hose wrapped around Pierre’s bulk head. When I inquired he said, “Yeah, on the end of the hose is a snorkel mouth piece. So many people have drowned in stupid shit, I’m going to put one in my son’s boat,” Pierre responded. I examined his breathing apparatus further and was amazed at its simple beauty. This could allow a pinned swimmer precious moments while partners establish a rescue from foot entrapment, strainers or ledges.
The design consisted of a clear, 1/2” hose inserted into the mouthpiece of a “J” snorkel you might find at the beach. I then remembered class-two-snoozers where I found myself on the upstream side of a rock and suddenly nervous. We’ve all been there. In bigger water, pins claim the lives of many skilled and expert boaters. The breathing hose is not for us, but for our buddies that could one day get into trouble. Any extra foresight and caution we can use on the water helps.
We paddled with Pierre for two solid days. The Adirondacks and Berkshires were new territory for my buddy and me. Fortunately we had no need for Pierre’s breathing hose, yet we trusted him. Pierre obviously anticipated emergencies and river hazards. When it goes down, you want your buddies to be there for you right? If I should get into trouble, I hope guys like Pierre are around.
WARNING:
Keep a MAXIMUM of 3 foot tubing to avoid asphyxiation from the build-up of your own CO2.
The optimum length for a snorkel is 30 cm. Use this as a benchmark (undoubtedly your device will be longer).
Practice in a pool or swimming area with your device before the river.
The Coast Guard, Life Guard, Red Cross or any other organization has not approved this design.
Many variables exist in any rescue situation. Therefore, a breathing hose does not guarantee survival for pinned kayakers.
DO NOT STUFF YOURSELF IN A CREVICE, ROCK, LEDGE, WATERFALL, OR RECIRCULATING HOLE.
Pray to the River Gods and keep good KARMA.
Email nick [at] noumbrella [dot] com with your questions, comments and concerns.
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