• toynbee@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      When I was first informed that this was possible, it was suggested as a way to get breathable air if your city suffered a gas attack or similar.

        • toynbee@lemmy.world
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          2 months ago

          My friend posited that the amount in the sewers would be likely to be less than that in the ambient air and therefore worth attempting if desperate.

          I don’t know much of anything about sewers, but you don’t really smell things around manholes, do you? (My anosmia prevents me from answering this with confidence.) If not, it would make sense to presume there’s some kind of seal on them. If that’s the case, the outlet would be the primary inlet for gas. I don’t know enough about gas attacks or drainage to say whether that’s a problem.

          If I’m ever unable to breathe ambient air or escape the area, I’ll try to remember to attempt this and get back to you.

          • JcbAzPx@lemmy.world
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            2 months ago

            The reason every drain has a water trap is sewer gas can be deadly. It’s possibly better than guaranteed death by smoke inhalation or terrorist attack, but not by much.

            • toynbee@lemmy.world
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              2 months ago

              It’s not surprising that it could be deadly, but I was always told the reason was olfactory in nature.

              Wait … Explain the ninja turtles!

    • agamemnonymous@sh.itjust.works
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      2 months ago

      Not really a bong if you bypass the water. That’s just a pipe with a decorative water feature.

      Edit: actually I just realized this doesn’t work at all. The tank connects to holes around the inside rim of the bowl, not the drain. This is just huffing sewer gas while you happen to burn weed nearby.