MediDive's Asthma Freedom Snorkle
By Donald Melanson 
posted November 10th 2006 10:01AM
posted November 10th 2006 10:01AM
Australian company MediDive has created what it claims to be the world's first snorkle for asthmatics, finally giving those suffering from asthma the ability to go on daring diving expiditions with their local Team Zissou. MediDive's solution isn't the most complicated one, but it should get the job done. Before getting suited up for a dive, you simply remove the Metered Dose Inhaler canister from your regular asthma inhaler and insert it into the specially-designed compartment in the Asthma Freedom Snorkle; then, when you need a dose of medication, you simply use the snorkle as you would your usual asthma inhaler. Other more snorkle-oriented features include a purge valve to clear out water, a flex tube section for enhanced comfort, and an interchangeable silicon mouthpiece -- red cap not included. No word on price or compatibility with whippits, but it looks to only be available in Australia and New Zealand for the time being.[Via Crave]
Team Zissou? What's that?
The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou
Check it out on IMDB
The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou
Check it out on IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0362270/
I, for one, welcome our underwater asmatic underwaterlords.
lol, whippits.
Yes, the Whippits comment made me LMAO. Back in the good-ole days.
Um, it's not like your a thousand leagues under the sea and you couldn't just stand up, take your inhaler out of a ziploc baggie, take a hit off of it, replace into baggie, and put your snorkeled head back into the water. Oh, right, this gadget saves you, like a whole 15 seconds and saves you from standing up. Now if we're talking about scuba-diving, ok, I could understand the need for something like this built into your scuba gear.
I was thinking the exact same thing. At first I was like "Hey, that's cool" because I was picturing an asthmatic underwater where they can't get to their inhaler, then I realized what a snorkel is actually for. Come on, you're right at the surface, is it really that big of a problem?
When I've been snorkeling, it's the stale air (C02) remaining in the chamber, and the relatively thin snorkel pipe that can be difficult for me. So I was thinking... hey! problem solved!
Er... or not. A plug-in inhaler? Sheesh.
-Pie
Yeah, I think this pertains strictly to snorkeling since you can use a snorkel while 60ft down and you're not supposed to use medicines under pressure in any case, cause the effects of drugs on people are not tested under pressure