|
|
Post by 73diver on Mar 4, 2020 6:16:59 GMT -8
I’m new to the vintage diving interest groups. I am attempting to replicate the year 1973. That is the year I started diving in Northern California. I still have most of my equipment from that year minus mask and suit.
To complete the vintage set, I need a wetsuit and a vintage mask. I have a couple of related questions. I see new “vintage oval masks” for sale on Amazon for under $25. I think the mask material is Silicone. I was wondering if these are considered close enough to vintage to be used in vintage events. For the price, I wonder if they function adequately. My suit from 1973 was 5mm farmer john with beaver tail front zip jacket and separate hood. It was black closed-cell neoprene (the closed cell rubber was actually white) with a black nylon exterior and a red nylon interior. (The red was claimed to retain heat better). There is a company that makes a suit similar to this but the jacket has the hood attached and the zipper closed downward from the neck. I think this is an improved design. I was wondering if a suit like that would be considered close enough to vintage. Thanks
|
|
|
|
Post by scubalawyer on Mar 4, 2020 7:55:23 GMT -8
Hi 73diver,
Having attended and been in charge of a number of vintage dive events, I can offer this. With the exception of the Sea Hunt Forever event in Silver Springs, FL, no one gives a rats-ass what equipment you use. All vintage; combo vintage-modern; all modern with a 1957 snorkel, whatever. The SHF show requires gear of the type actually seen in an episode of the 1958-1961 Sea Hunt show as we have to meet the State of Florida's definition of "Historical Reenactors."
Those silicone oval masks are fine. As for wetsuits, unless you want to win a Mike Nelson look-alike contest and get a custom-made silver skin out high waist pants with metal zipper on the jacket, anything will do for the standard vintage get-together. My 2psi. Mark
|
|
|
|
Post by nikeajax on Mar 4, 2020 9:16:52 GMT -8
I would recommend the U.S. Divers wraparound mask:   I really apreciate having a better, more natural field of vision: I believe these date back to the 1960's. JB |
|
|
|
Post by scubalawyer on Mar 4, 2020 9:45:29 GMT -8
Those US Divers wraparound masks are very cool. I used one for years. Only problem I had was that it distorts pheripheral vision just enough so that every shadow caught out of the corner of my eye would freak me out. I'd emerge from every dive all jumpy...  |
|
|
|
Post by nikeajax on Mar 4, 2020 10:19:40 GMT -8
Mark, I've never had that problem, and I'm naturally pretty jumpy too: I don't like not having peripheral vision. Anyway, just thought I'd mention my favorite mask cuz most folks don't realize they have choices when it comes to vintage diving. JB EDIT: I have heard of this type distorting the caca out of peripheral vision:  |
|
|
|
Post by DavidRitchieWilson on Mar 5, 2020 3:09:15 GMT -8
As a vintage snorkeller, pure and simple, I'm also a bit of a purist when it comes to underwater swimming equipment materials, particularly if the plan is to align vintage gear closely with what was available in the given year 1973. I believe Scubapro was the first diving equipment company to use silicone as an alternative mask material when the company launched its prototype translucent silicone masks in its 1976 catalogue to meet the needs of divers suffering from allergies:  Black silicone masks came later. And it wasn't until 1977 when John E. Alexander published his article "Allergic reactions to mask skirts, regulator mouthpieces and snorkel mouthpieces", Journal of the South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society Vol. 7 No. 2 (1977), pp. 44-45, which can found at archive.rubicon-foundation.org/xmlui/bitstream/handle/123456789/6144/SPUMS_V7N2_10.pdf. I've looked at Amazon and from what I've seen on its website you can still buy traditional rubber-skirted oval masks from that source in this day and age. Just read the product descriptions closely. At a pinch, of course, you might still get away with a black silicone mask at a vintage diving gear gathering where I expect the attendees to focus on the authenticity of the regulators rather than the basic gear. DRW |
|
|
|
Post by SeaRat on Mar 5, 2020 15:05:09 GMT -8
The clear silicone masks were used by photographers to enhance the look of their subjects in photos. When on the surface, in sunlight with a dark bot tom, there is a lot of distracting reflections on the inside of the mask lens from light entering from the silicone skirt. I had a pull-over wet suit top without any zipper for a while in the 1960s, custom-make by White Stag. This was before nylon was added to the neoprene sheets, so it was rather delicate and easily ripped, but very warm and flexible.  NW Diving History003 by John Ratliff, on Flickr John |
|
|
|
Post by scubalawyer on Mar 12, 2020 13:43:21 GMT -8
I would recommend the U.S. Divers wraparound mask: I really apreciate having a better, more natural field of vision: I believe these date back to the 1960's. JB Found a pic of yours truly at about age 13 wearing my USD tri-view mask. All I can say is that the halibut looked legal size underwater, the statute of limitations on F&G size limits has passed by now anyway, and that's my story and I'm sticking to it. |
|
|
|
Post by nikeajax on Mar 12, 2020 16:04:34 GMT -8
 Dang son, you look happier than in a pig in (expletive deleted)! Good fer you  JB |
|
