We have all seen that some people have been training using a snorkel.

What exactly dose this do for the individual?

By using the snorkel you are increasing what is known in medical terms as dead space. Dead space is the portion of air you breath in that your body doesn't use. It's like a line up at a fast food restaurant. If 100 people had to go into the restaurant and order at the same time and there was only 5 minutes for them all to order, the people in the front would get service but the people in the back would not, That would mean people in the back would be like the dead space in our lungs.

How to do it?

First you will need to get a snorkel, make sure its not the ones with the a way valve near the mouth piece like in the picture above. Then you should plug your nose with something to make sure the snorkel is the only way you are breathing. Next you will preformed some form of cardio activity.

How does it work?

Using a snorkel affects how well you are able to get oxygen into your body. This lack of oxygen is known hypoxia. It will make your work out more anaerobic which should be your goal, and the hypoxia can cause your body to produce more red blood cells known as polycythemia. Polycythemia is similar to living or training at higher altitudes. It also occurs in people with lung problems such as COPD. For those who are wondering what red blood cells are; they are cells in our blood that carry oxygen to our muscles etc.

It also decreases the amount of carbon dioxide our body can get out. Carbon dioxide is the leftovers of metabolism. If there is high amounts in our blood it can cause headache, confusion, and lethargy. The body will try to compensate by increasing heart rate and blood pressure etc. to remove the carbon dioxide and it can even lead to heart arrhythmias, convulsions, unconsciousness, and eventually death at very high amounts.

What I would recommend?

I would recommend having a pulse oximeter to keep track of oxygen in the blood, as well as an end tidal CO2 monitor to keep track of carbon dioxide. Another great idea would be to get continuous ABG using an art line if possible. This would be the most accurate way of measuring oxygen and carbon dioxide, and it can help to keep track of hemoglobin, which is related to your red blood cells, and also your electrolytes and lactic acid as well. Lactic acid is the results of anaerobic metabolism and should be monitored.
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