Post by Nemo on Feb 15, 2008 18:11:13 GMT -8
william said:
One thing that really Bugs me is{ "You and I know how Fantastic it is to use a Double Hose Regulator,especially with the bubbles not all in your Face.} But practically None of the millions of other divers knows how great it feels, how you can hear better and how much more dependable and safer a Double Hose Regulator is over a Single Hose Regulator. Is there anything that could be done, differently, from what Aqua-Lung has done to get the message out their to all the young divers? I mean, you go into a Local Dive Shop and ask some of the other customers, and they do not know Anythng about it!!!! Hi Bill,
I don't know what others might be doing to expose new folks to vintage regulators. Personally, I've had the opportunity to train a few "modern equipment" divers in the use of a DA as part of showing them how to dive my Leagues rigs. This includes pool and ocean dives with the DA used both conventionally and as part of the modified system. While all of them found the experience enjoyable, most/all still prefer their newer equipment; and some said they wouldn't want to dive a vintage regulator in deep water.
The "modern divers" I've talked to mostly said they preferred the ease of clearing a single hose regulator with the purge button, as opposed to what you have to go through to clear a double hoser.
Jaw fatigue? Get a full face mask.
Buddy breathing? Some say it's easier with a modern rig.
Ease and consistency of breathing under a wide range of variable body positions in the water? Again, some say it's better with a modern rig.
They also cited the safety of an octopus rig. True, you can modify a double hoser to include a safe second, but then I've also seen people complain that "it aint vintage no more."
Modern divers talk about impromptu gear swaps between buddies on the boat, and cite reasons like "this is what most people are trained to use" and more. I respect their opinions. And if I was part of a group effort where similar gear was a factor, I'd probably dive what everybody else is diving.
Myself, I like vintage regulators: stock and Leagues style. I started out diving two hoses and went to one when they came around. Over here in relatively warm water, I enjoy the freedom of not diving a wetsuit or BC. I like just tossing a DA-equipped 72 on my back and hopping into the ocean. I feel comfortable with my abilities and the gear, and I'll also admit I'm one of those who enjoys the looks I get from some people.
I think vintage is very, very cool. And actually, most of the time nowadays, when when I go to the beach I leave the octopus behind and take the DA. Tank and regulator; mask and duckfeet, and minimal weights. For me, it's just easier swimming like that, and without all that excess rubber, lead, and plumbing. That's basically why I dive vintage gear.
Personally, I've never seen the "bubbles" issue as a real problem as, with a single hose regulator, the exhaust mostly floats up around the sides of my mask, and never really bothered me in any event.
Actually, I like the sounds of the air system and the bubbles underwater; it's part of the experience for me. (What I don't like is when those sounds abruptly stop! ;D) Relatively silent rebreathers are cool, too; but I don't mind bubble noise at all. At least, not enough to complain about it, or let it turn me off to a particular style of equipment altogether.
But back to the point: some of us are making an effort to introduce modern equipment divers to vintage gear. I'm one of those, and it's been my experience that some like it, and some not so much.
Mostly, the people I've encountered over the years (and increasingly so in recent times) see vintage gear as a novelty from times past, and are not about to make a dedicated shift away from their modern rigs. That observation is based on opinions I've seen as prevalent among divers, dive shop owners, and equipment manufacturers.
VBR,
Pat