Pool pump has been a bit weak lately: The stream of water pouring out of the hot tub “waterfall” into the main pool had become more like a trickle. This usually indicates a significant clog or that the pool filter needs cleaning.

Considering I haven’t cleaned the filter in almost a year I figured that was likely the problem. It wasn’t 😮‍💨

Turns out that there’s something stuck in the intake at the bottom of the pool which means I have to dive deep with a screwdriver in the super cold water and carefully clear out whatever is in there. Probably a plastic bag or similar.

Note: Never attempt such a thing while the pump is on! In fact, lock it down with some tape and maybe a warning label that says not to turn it on while you’re doing your difficult work.

Been a long time since I had to hold my breath under water. I wonder if I can still reach 2 minutes? 🤔 Probably not with this water temperature 🤣

  • @Illegalmexicant
    link
    114 days ago

    My uncle would tie bricks to his friend’s feet. Worked every time.

  • @kalpol
    link
    74 days ago

    Get a sand filter. Way way way better

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      94 days ago

      I work on pools and I’ve never seen one that didn’t have a sand filter

      I also work on hot tubs with paper filters and they’re the number one cause of contaminated water

      They should be thoroughly cleaned once a week, OP

      Holy shit how are you not dead 😂

    • RiskableOP
      link
      fedilink
      English
      13 days ago

      That’d have to be one long ass snorkel. The thing I need to take apart and clean the inside of is 8ft deep.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    English
    -5
    edit-2
    4 days ago

    Definitely use a long snorkel tube (garden hose) to keep breathing! Good luck and don’t you dare post the follow up here because that task is actually awesome 👌🏽

    Edit: the garden hose must not be more than 5cm long.

    • @GrabtharsHammer
      link
      234 days ago

      Do NOT do this if the pool is more than a couple feet deep. There is a good reason snorkels are short.

        • @SchmidtGenetics
          link
          184 days ago

          The carbon dioxide won’t leave the hose before you suck it back in expecting oxygen.

          • @NotMyOldRedditName
            link
            2
            edit-2
            4 days ago

            I imagine you could get a super long snorkel as long as you had a different intake and outtake valve? Suck air in, blow out into water? Maybe there’s a limit on that as well, but longer to some extent?

          • @Serinus
            link
            24 days ago

            But with CO2 you’ll know. It just won’t work and you’ll have to come up.

        • @[email protected]
          link
          fedilink
          114 days ago

          There’s two. One, the average breath size is only so much volume. You take that first breath, you get air with oxygen in it. Breathe it out, and a short snorkel expels it into the surrounding air, letting fresh air take its place. A long snorkel has enough volume to partially trap your exhale, with less and less oxygen available with each breath. Two, pressure differences. The deeper you go, the more pressure the water exerts on your body. Not just your lungs, but your sinuses and other tissues have to deal with that pressure while breathing. The forces need to be balanced. Surface air doesn’t cut it beyond relatively shallow depths.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      6
      edit-2
      4 days ago

      this doesn’t work, your lungs aren’t strong enough to utilize a snorkel much longer than a normal one.

      edit: wait what, 5cm? most snorkels are about 30cm, no?