Reaction to “Last Breath” Documentary

Cave divers Gus and Woody are reacting to the documentary “Last Breath” about Chris Lemons, a commercial diver who had a life-threatening experience 300 feet underwater. The documentary tells the story of Lemons and his crew, who were on a mission to repair a damaged pipe in the North Sea when their oxygen supply was cut off.

Introduction to Commercial Diving

Commercial diving is a complex and highly specialized field that requires extensive training and equipment. Commercial divers use compression chambers to slowly reach working depths, which can take days, to fully saturate their tissues. This allows them to work for hours without needing immediate decompression. Saturation divers stay at a certain depth for weeks, then take 7 days to decompress, living in a pressurized bell with living quarters.

The Incident

The incident occurred when the vessel, Bibi Topaz, started drifting, dragging the diving bell and posing a life-threatening problem for Lemons and his colleague, Dave Yuasa. The diving bell was connected to the vessel by an umbilical cord, which provided oxygen, warmth, and communication. However, when the vessel moved away, the cord was pulled, causing Lemons to become stuck to a metal structure below. As the vessel continued to move, the cord snapped, leaving Lemons without oxygen or a tether.

Rescue Efforts

Yuasa dove down to retrieve Lemons’ body, sharing his breathing tube with him as he carried him back to the bell. Once back, another colleague, Duncan Alcock, attempted mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and miraculously, Lemons took a huge breath, reviving him. The rescue efforts were successful, and Lemons survived the incident, despite being underwater for an extended period without oxygen.

Survival and Recovery

Lemons’ survival is attributed to the cold water, which caused his body to shut down, reducing his need for oxygen. His brain also responded to the extreme situation by conserving oxygen, allowing him to be resuscitated with just rescue breaths. Lemons regained total coherence and was able to speak to his coworkers shortly after resuscitation, although he may never know exactly how he survived.

Rebreathers and Safety Features

The incident highlights the importance of safety features, such as rebreathers, in commercial diving. A rebreather system, like the Cobra system, can extend the emergency gas supply from 10 minutes to several hours, preventing accidents and improving survival chances in emergency situations. The system works by recirculating air, removing CO2, and maintaining a breathable gas mixture, allowing divers to focus on their task without worrying about their equipment.

Conclusion and Reaction

Gus and Woody discuss their reaction to the documentary, sharing their opinions and hypotheses on the incident. They encourage viewers to watch the full documentary on Netflix and highlight the importance of safety protocols and training in commercial diving. The speakers also express interest in trying a similar dive, but acknowledge that it’s not possible due to safety concerns.

Key Takeaways

• Commercial diving is a complex and highly specialized field that requires extensive training and equipment.
• Saturation divers stay at a certain depth for weeks, then take 7 days to decompress, living in a pressurized bell with living quarters.
• Rebreathers, like the Cobra system, can extend the emergency gas supply from 10 minutes to several hours, preventing accidents and improving survival chances in emergency situations.
• Safety protocols and training are crucial in commercial diving to prevent accidents and ensure diver safety.

Key Vocabulary

Watch The Video

Vocabulary Quiz

1. What does the term “saturation divers” refer to in the context of commercial diving?

A) Divers who work at shallow depths for short periods
B) Divers who stay at a certain depth for a few hours
C) Divers who stay at a certain depth for weeks, then take 7 days to decompress
D) Divers who do not require decompression

2. What is the primary function of a rebreather system in commercial diving?

A) To provide warmth to the diver
B) To remove CO2 and maintain a breathable gas mixture, extending the emergency gas supply
C) To facilitate communication between the diver and the vessel
D) To increase the diver’s mobility underwater

3. What was the critical factor that contributed to Chris Lemons’ survival after being stuck underwater without oxygen?

A) The warm water temperature
B) The cold water, which caused his body to shut down and reduce his need for oxygen
C) The immediate administration of oxygen upon rescue
D) The use of a rebreather system during the dive

4. What is the purpose of a compression chamber in commercial diving?

A) To rapidly reach working depths
B) To slowly reach working depths and fully saturate the diver’s tissues
C) To provide a means of emergency escape
D) To facilitate the transportation of divers to the dive site

5. How long does it take for saturation divers to decompress after staying at a certain depth for weeks?

A) 1 day
B) 3 days
C) 7 days
D) 14 days

Answer Key:

1. C
2. B
3. B
4. B
5. C

Grammar Focus

Grammar Focus: The Use of the Passive Voice

Grammar Quiz:

1. The oxygen supply ____________________ when the vessel moved away.

• was being cut off
• cut off
• has been cut off
• was cut off

2. The documentary ____________________ by a team of filmmakers who specialize in underwater stories.

• is made
• was made
• has been made
• is being made

3. The diving bell ____________________ to the vessel by an umbilical cord.

• was connected
• connects
• is connected
• has been connected

4. The rebreather system ____________________ to extend the emergency gas supply from 10 minutes to several hours.

• is designed
• was designed
• has been designed
• designs

5. The saturation divers ____________________ at a certain depth for weeks before they start decompressing.

• stay
• are staying
• have been staying
• were stayed

Answer Key:

1. was cut off

2. was made

3. was connected

4. is designed

5. stay