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Post by nikeajax on Sept 27, 2009 11:40:50 GMT -8
Hello! I have a few questions to ask: I have never used scuba equipment before but really want to. I’m sure this part may sound really familiar, but, when I was a kid I RAELLY wanted to be Jacques Cousteau. I especially remember the one where they found the wine bottles in the ship-wreck. My friend and I as kids got some bottles of Seven Up and chilled them in his doughboy pool over night to emulate it. Um, I’m just learning to swim, really, as I have had some bad experiences in shallow water, like nearly drowning in a fountain and a reflecting-pool at the age of two or three. I’m starting to get the swimming part down, but now want to get scuba certified. I love the idea of using vintage equipment; nearly everything I have is old, and I use them not just collect them for the sake of collecting. What are the real differences between modern and vintage scuba? How long can I expect to dive for with old equipment, vs. modern? What brands should I look for, and what should I stay away from; what is over rated, and what can I get parts for readily? I’m guessing the regulator is THE part, no? How do I convince my wife she should use vintage gear too; she’s a bit worried about the safety standpoint of vintage vs. modern (she loves old stuff as much as I do!) Thanks, Jaybird
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Post by SeaRat on Sept 27, 2009 18:43:12 GMT -8
Jaybird,
First, welcome here. It is good that you came here to discuss your passion.
However, having said that, there are two things I would recommend before you begin diving with vintage scuba equipment. First, get very comfortable in the water. Begin with the swimming. Became so comfortable that you can get into the water without any reservations. Vintage diving requires very good swimming and water ability. People who began diving in the early days were ones, like Cousteau himself, who were already very comfortable in the water. Once you have the swimming down, begin snorkel diving. Most vintage divers started skin diving before they began with scuba.
For myself, I was on swim teams in my early days, at the YMCA swim team in Salem, Oregon. Then I progressed to snorkeling, first in pools, then in the open water of lakes and rivers in Oregon. It was only after several years of snorkeling that I began scuba diving. So this is what I would recommend to you.
Finally, do get certified. You need to understand the basics of diving, and the best way to do that now is to get certified.
After being certified, then you can learn about vintage diving using double hose regulators and minimal gear. Remember, people who use minimal gear do not have BCs and other safety devices that are prevalent today. So they need very good watermanship skills.
The problem with getting dive gear for vintage diving is that the gear, unless you get it from a reputable site such as this one, is almost always non-functional when it is picked up off of e-bay. It is old, the rubber is deteriorated, and usually not in divable condition. It takes someone who's really good at it do get that gear back into shape.
John
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Post by OystrPir8 on Sept 27, 2009 19:20:10 GMT -8
Yes- welcome aboard!! Where do you live, Jaybird?
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Post by nikeajax on Sept 27, 2009 20:30:44 GMT -8
I live in Atascadero, CA (did you know that means mud puddle in Spanish!). Morro Bay is just west of me, and Monterey is north. Yes, I am starting to get more comfortable in the water. I have a snorkel set that I use in the pool. Once I can swim 200 meters, unassisted, and tread water for ten minutes, I plan on looking into getting certified. Yeah, I’m hip to the fact that nearly anything I find is in need of restoration, or an extensive cleaning at the very best possible situation. I’m kind of excited: I found a pair of NOS Scuba Pro Jet Fins for fivebux yesterday, so I see that as a good sign. I’m a fine artist, so I have a great appreciation aesthetics. I like the way the double hoses look, not unlike a lever-action rifle, B/W TV’s, or a rotary phone. I figure it’ll be a while before I’m ready for the swell old gear, but I love to research things before I get them so I know how they work: when I get old junk I love making it work, but I’m not above having a pro work on my gear either if it’s that critical to my continued breathing! What is a good regulator to get when it’s time, and what should I stay away from because it’s too obscure? Thanks, Jaybird
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Post by OystrPir8 on Sept 27, 2009 21:44:17 GMT -8
Well, Im in Oakland - not too far, so when you get certified, let's go diving! We are having a vintage dive this weekend at the Breakwater in Monterey - Saturday. Meet on the lawn at 9am. If you can make it up, it might be a good chance to meet some folks, see some KILLER gear and ask some questions. You could enjoy the aquarium or hang out in town while people are in the water and you are more than welcome to eat with us and just hang out. I am also a swimming instructor and would be happy to help out in any way I can. You're welcome to private message me or email me if you'd like at OystrPir8@aol.com. Great to have you. You and I have a lot in common. (rotary phones, vintage camping gear, etc.) Old - its the new new.
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Post by SeaRat on Sept 27, 2009 21:58:18 GMT -8
For someone just starting out, the US Divers Co. Mistral, or it's AMF Voit equivalent, are good regulators. They are single stage, with only 6 moving parts, and almost fool-proof. They are very easy to maintain. There is one now available on e-bay, but I would not buy it as the seller has a minimum price. Here is the Voit regulator: cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-VOIT-LUNG-SCUBA-REGULATOR-IN-GOOD-CONDITION_W0QQitemZ150375925481QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item23031a86e9&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14Also good is the Healthways Gold Label Scuba Deluxe regulator. The older Scuba regulators have problems with their design. For the original Healthways Scuba, it's the exhaust, and for the second generation, it's also the exhaust although that one is pretty easily fixed. The second generation Scuba Deluxe is a smooth breathing regulator, but not the best performance regulator around. There is one second generation Scuba Deluxe regulator on e-bay right now too. There regulators have a diaphragm which is almost indestructible (neoprene-impregnated nylon), and the valve seat mechanism is alse very good. Again, being a single stage regulator, it is very easy to work on. cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Healthways-DeLuxe-Scuba-Two-Hose-Regulator_W0QQitemZ170387732516QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item27abe67824&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14Some will say that the DA Aquamaster is a wonderful regulator, but I've found it a bit temperamental and somewhat difficult to tear apart. It takes more knowledge than the single stage regulators. Double hose regulators are best placed onto a double-tank system, with an older manifold that allows the regulator to be mounted in the center, between the two tanks. These tanks allow the regulator to be located lower on the back, and therefore in a better position for breathing (the water column distance between the regulator and the center of the diver's lungs is lower). John John
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Post by nikeajax on Sept 27, 2009 22:45:05 GMT -8
Thanks for the heads up guys--really! Okay, here's me being myself: WEIRDO! Lots'o old stuff, nothing SCUBA...yet! www.flickr.com/photos/93018283@N00/We're looking for an old trailer too, as if we didn't have enough stuff, to drag behind our 1956 Buick (see pix). Thanks again! Jaybird
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Post by scubadiverbob on Oct 27, 2009 9:10:40 GMT -8
On regulators, I'd recommend the High Pressure (3500psi) Royal AquaMaster (RAM) and have Dan service it before using it. They are hard to find and might be expensive. You can get a DA Aquamaster and using the new kit described in the General Discussions make it into a better reg than the RAM. You will need to get with someone who dives a double hose to learn to clear one (it doesn't have a purge button (as Andrew always tells me) or find an instructor that teaches rebreathers to show you how to clear them. The only disadvantage to the mistral is it has no LP port (hooka port).
Robert
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