Actually the rescue procedure is straightforward https://www.deeperblue.com/rescue-procedures-for-freediver-b... so if there is a trained buddy watching your back you gonna be fine.

PS you don't need CPR to recover from blackout.

On a separate note, it is extremely irresponsible to dismiss concerns about getting in difficulty while in the sea as something that can be dealt with easily. Because it can't. The sea can take you in seconds, on a bright sunny day, with calm weather and while you're in full control of your faculties.

I am Greek and so I've grown up next to the sea. I learned to swim around the time I learned to walk. I am a strong swimmer, in other words and very familiar with the sea. And yet, I've almost drowned twice, once when I was grabbed by a strong current and once when I misjudged the strength of the waves and got in the sea to play with them. I'm lucky to be alive, twice over.

It is important to understand that the sea is not your friend. Every time you enter it, you put yourself in mortal danger and that's no exaggeration. Ignoring this puts you into even greater danger.

And, honestly, blacking out while 30m under (or even six, or one) is my own private nightmare. It's the last thing any sane person wants to happen to them. Dismissing it by saying that the rescue procedure is "straightforward" is completely missing the point, that such a situation is very likely to be fatal.

That link literally says exactly what my comment says. That if you black out on the surface, then, OK, but if you black out in the water then laryngospasm will protect you from inhaling water for a bit (under a minute), but then it will end, at which point you'll inhale water and CPR will become even harder. etc. etc.

Actually, reading a bit about it, laryngospasm does not occur during drowning and so it can't protect you.

The source is "Laryngospasm in breath-hold diving", found in the proceedings of the 2006 Breath-hold diving workshop:

https://www.diversalertnetwork.org/files/UHMS_DAN_2006_Breat...

Vocal cord closure is certainly protective in the initial stages of an immersion accident. This occurs only when the victim is conscious. A person who is unconscious when they enter the water or who loses consciousness in the water will not have protective laryngeal reflexes. If consciousness is lost during static apnea or in an underwater swimming contest, the vocal cords will relax and will not close in response to inhaled water. Similarly a breath-hold diver who loses con sciousness will not develop laryngospasm.

Sure, but if you have a buddy, a minute is more than enough for a rescue. I did it a couple of times from about 10m and it is a bit stressful but I got free beers in the end :)

Sounds like fun. Maybe drown-and-get-rescued should be introduced as a new sport.