Post by antique diver on Jul 4, 2024 7:58:55 GMT -8
In 1967-68 I bought my first brand new single hose regulator, the Healthways Scubair J. I don't really remember anything about the performance of it, other than it was better than my tilt-valve Scuba Star. In 1970 we opened the dive shop, mainly featuring US Divers gear, so the Scubair J was sold fairly soon, and I began using the Calypso J.
I acquired another Scubair J in a big batch of stuff from the Scuba Point collection a few years ago, and it set in the barn for several years. I recently rebuilt it and added a modern silicone diaphragm, tested it on the bench with disappointing results, but took it diving last week anyway just for old times sake. To my great surprise it turned out to be a really nice easy breather, so it just shows that test bench results sometimes clash with actual diving performance.
During the aforementioned rebuild I noticed my unique logo of 3 initials scratched into the 2nd stage between the mouthpiece and the exhaust T! There is no doubt about the logo and the origin of this regulator. Due to some wild and crazy coincidence my Scubair J had found its way home to me after at least 55 years! Am I ever going to part with it again? Not a chance... I love it!
I acquired another Scubair J in a big batch of stuff from the Scuba Point collection a few years ago, and it set in the barn for several years. I recently rebuilt it and added a modern silicone diaphragm, tested it on the bench with disappointing results, but took it diving last week anyway just for old times sake. To my great surprise it turned out to be a really nice easy breather, so it just shows that test bench results sometimes clash with actual diving performance.
During the aforementioned rebuild I noticed my unique logo of 3 initials scratched into the 2nd stage between the mouthpiece and the exhaust T! There is no doubt about the logo and the origin of this regulator. Due to some wild and crazy coincidence my Scubair J had found its way home to me after at least 55 years! Am I ever going to part with it again? Not a chance... I love it!
