Underwater Breathing Tubes: Are they safe?

Google the term 'underwater breathing tube' and you'll be presented with an array of breathing tubes available on cheap sites like Temu, Shein and Fruugo, modelled by (AI-created) people seemingly having a great time underwater, aided by a plastic mask and a piece of hose that's attached to a floating buoy.

Seems like a cheap and simple way to breathe underwater, right? You put one end in your mouth, the other end stays above the water's surface, and instead of breathing through a traditional snorkel, you're just breathing through a longer hose while you swim.

Basic physics says otherwise. Critically, the human body is not designed to breathe through long tubes underwater, making these breathing tubes extremely dangerous. And anyone can pick one up for under $15.

It's easy to assume that because something is for sale, it must have been tested and approved. Sadly, that's not always the case. Products sold through online marketplaces can come from many different manufacturers, all operating under different regulatory systems. Using unsafe equipment to provide you with an air supply deserves some thought - would you really want your life - or your kids' lives - to be decided by equipment that hasn't been designed, tested and intended for the environment in which they are being used?

Why are they dangerous?

As most divers know, breathing underwater is a high-risk activity. As you descend, the surrounding water pressure increases, and your chest must expand against that pressure to inhale. At around one metre below the surface, your respiratory muscles become less able to draw air through a tube connected to the surface. Long hoses also increase breathing resistance because of friction, and the volume of air trapped inside the tube.

There are untold risks with this product, which is advertised alongside shots of it being used in swimming pools and in the ocean. These include:

- Increased breathing efforts due to the long hose;

- Carbon dioxide buildup inside the hose that can be rebreathed; 

- Risk of the floating intake becoming submerged by waves, kinked or blocked;

- No backup air source;

- No warning systems.

Breathing through this hose can also lead people to believe they can dive deeper because they have access to air - something which isn't the case due to the increased water pressure.

Where do I get good equipment?

Knowing what equipment is safe and what isn't is becoming increasingly difficult. However, it's fair to say that if you're buying your diving safety equipment from an online website for a few dollars, the chances are extremely high that it's untested and unsafe. 

When buying underwater equipment, look for the following:

- Equipment that adheres to recognised international standards;

- Equipment sold by established dive clubs and stores;

- Equipment that comes with clear instructions, limitations and safety warnings;

- Proof of independent testing.