since the old water was airless, they would have to get it out of the wood before new, aerated water could enter it and make it float again.
(the old water; was; airless) (they; to get; it; out of the wood; T:before new, aerated water could enter it and make it float again) (new, aerated water; could enter; it)
the old water they new, aerated water
was to get could enter
airless
it out of the wood T:before new, aerated water could enter it and make it float again
it