Could a fugitive who escaped hide in the bottom of a lake 2 meters deep and breath through a hollow reed or tube?

Of course he could, providing the reed was long enough to reach to the air above the water surfacer. He would not want to stay there very long though , and there is a strong chance he might suck water into his nostril, as well as fresh air. I doubt if he would have the time to cut off a reed that was sufficiently hollow , and sufficiently long to do the trick do you ? Fugitives usually have to operate pretty fast when they escape and they are usually not very smart people are they. On second thoughts, I doubt if it has ever been done successfully. It's a good story though !