Diving Hookah

[vasko]

I'm building one for myself - I'm clear on right type of pump and regulator - BUT have some doubts about the breathing hose material - does it need to be Polyurethane or PVC ? which one is safer for breathing ? 

[ForGrinsToo]

Hi Vasko,

Hospitals use medical grade PVC which you can buy on-line. Beware the usual hardware and DIY store stuff which is not safe either for drinking water or breathing air unless clearly marked. Polyurethane is as good if it is also clearly marked.

Geoff

[zaphod]

You could source the hose through a dive shop. Then you know it is the right stuff, and it may even have the correct fittings.

[vasko]

Jan 10, 2020 21:38:47 GMT zaphod said:

You could source the hose through a dive shop. Then you know it is the right stuff, and it may even have the correct fittings.

prefer from the place that the diving shops buy stuff  

so far my research shows that hi-end diving equipment uses GAV ( Italy) rubber enforced hoses 6x14( £1 per m) or 8x14 (£1.2 per m.)  but they are only black colour... 

[MickeyB]

From what I remember on my training, the actual material is not 'that' important.  Provided it doesn't leave residue in the fluid (or air in this case) then all good.  The one thing it had to be though was strong enough to remain 'round' when at depth, and not compress down.

Good luck with it though, and be safe - diving is great.

[ds42]

Vasko,
I have a hookah rig and my biggest complaint on it is the hose.  It’s stiff and retains shape memory. It’s a pain in the a** to keep them untangled. Advise would be to make sure the hose is very flexible.  
Mark

[NZL50505]

Jan 13, 2020 21:54:13 GMT ds42 said:

Vasko,
I have a hookah rig and my biggest complaint on it is the hose.  It’s stiff and retains shape memory. It’s a pain in the a** to keep them untangled. Advise would be to make sure the hose is very flexible.  
Mark

But I think that’s the whole point i.e. the hose needs to be stiff to resist pressure of collapse as you dive!!! Remember the air is only being supplied at normal atmospheric pressure whereas the water pressure increases by 1 atm each 10m (approx). I’ve used a hookah and it also had a stiff hose for this very reason. And I remember diving down to 8-10m and not able to go any deeper due to the water pressure on my chest (trying to suck in air at 1 atm against the water pressure of 2 atm).

I hate to think the result of using a softer hose and trying to go diving. Come to think of it the whole idea of a home-made hookah scares the heck out of me. I hope we don’t suddenly stop getting posts from Vasko...

[MickeyB]

I think a home made hooka is a safe ish device as long as you don't go beyond 10m. 6m sounds like a nice depth.  It will limit you by the length of the pipe and the fact that you cannot actually draw breath anymore so you will naturally rise up.

But - PLEASE PLEASE there is a golden rule when diving.  It is unique to diving on air (snorkeling etc doesn't matter) and that is the simple fact that volumes in chest decreases QUICKLY with depth, even minor depth.  As you ascend you must breath out to get rid of the air in your chest - as you rise in the volume of water your chest expands again - if you have a full lung you can work out the physical mess you are in.

Vasko is a diver, he knows this, but for safety please people - BREATH OUT when coming up if you are trying this....i rather like everyone here and would hate to hear any bad news stories.

[vasko]

I plan to go no more the 2m just for cleaning the boat hull from time to time - I decided to go with rubber enforced hose 10x16 from GAV Italy - currently with only concern is that hose is black and may leave marks on the hull that I need to clean later..,