Measured Submersion Times in Underwater Hockey Are Inconsistent With Its Classification as an Extreme Apneic Sport

Underwater hockey (UWH) is a sport played at the bottom of a pool without the use of breathing devices such as scuba equipment. It has been classified as an extreme apneic sport based on perceptions of prolonged underwater submersion times during play. This study measured 2000 submersion times during UWH games and compared the average measured submersion times to estimates by UWH players and aquatics directors. The average measured submersion time was 11.0 seconds (SD:3.7) with a range of 4 to 27 seconds, but aquatics directors' estimates were over 100 percent longer (22.7 seconds). While observed active drop times typically lasted for 12.1 seconds (SD: 3.7), observed drop times with no puck lasted on average 9.3 seconds (SD:3.0). When compared to director and player estimates, actual/observed drop times were significantly (p<0.05) lower for overall drop times, active drop times, and drop times without a puck. The average submersion times measured in this study more closely resembled competitive swimming, a breathing-controlled sport, and contradicted lay press reports of routine submersion for one to three minutes, which implies a risk for a hypoxic blackout. The results of this study may mitigate safety concerns about UWH as a high-risk sport for a hypoxic blackout.