Back in the old days...

[navyhmc]

For starters, I am indeed new to the forum-I have to thank Divermedic for introducing me this site.

A few folks have noted that though new here, I've been around (first course was YMCA in '74) And no we didn't have to swim upstream both ways to get to the good spots-unless one recalls a certain dive in the Straights of Jaun De Fuca

Somneone was talking the other day about BC's- BCD's and how the ones today are so hard to use (a new diver to be sure-not slamming new divers, I think I remmeber when I was one.) The first ones we trained with were very simple inflatable life vests-we rejoiced when this thing called a power inflator came along. Then came the horse collar and the the tank supported systems. Don't miss the old days though.

Extra credit: Who here knows about or remembers the Dacor Nautilus CVS BCD? Want to try one, I have one you can use, still works.

[Zyxistal]

I'm a new diver so don't remember it but I'll try anything once.

[navyhmc]

It came out in '81 if I remember right and discontinued the next year.

The fun of the CVS is that it's basically a big pastic jug that your tank wraps around. It was designed so htat when you set your bounacy even atthe surface, it would remain that way through the dive. It equalized the pressure by having a small diaphram on the inflator. When you went donw it added air and when you ascended, it had a relief valve.

Sounded good in theory, but when you use it, if you go from head up or head level to a head down position, the water in the BC would literally slosh around if you had too much air in it.

Doesn't fit well either. In truth, I only used the thing a dozen times before it was retired.

[Steve Scuba]

An interesting idea. You would think that with our technology today, something like that could be made to work. Maybe a small computer and pump. Of course the more technology, the greater the risk of injury if the technology fails. I'd hate to be riding that if the BC suddenly decided to fill completely with air.

[navyhmc]

The original CVS had about 60 lbs of lift. Not a ride up I want to take.

One innovation it had was the first successful use of BC incorporated weights. It has a channel in the back that you could put up to 4-5lb wights in and it had a quick release to duimp them. This is now on about every BCD out there.

[charlesml3]

Back in the old days I'd walk into my LDS, fill my own tank, punch my fill card and walk out. Sometimes if everyone was in back or out on the dock they'd never even know I'd been there. I'm quite sure those days are over.

When I was first certified nobody had an octopus. Didn't even know what one was. Makes me chuckle when I see these threads about "how you're going to kill someone unless you have an 8' foot hose on your octo..."

-Charles

[BSea]

I do remember that dacor BC. That was way out of my price range when they came out. My radical BC was a wing made by Seaquest (80 or 81). It came in Blue & Yellow, and 1 other combination (I think). Everyone made fun of me because it wasn't a horsecollar, but I loved my 1st BP/W. Even if my BP was plastic. BTW, it still holds air.

[texdiveguy]

Things have SO changed from years past....and all for the better equipment wise! I has certified in 1971 as what was then called a Skin Diver....oh boy I remember the days sitting in class listening to some old 40-50 year old fart (I was 16) about stuff I could care less about....me and my 3 buddies just wanted to dive and own big Dacor sabers! We used steel back plates with canvas webbing and steel 72's/J-valve tanks. No Octo...no SPG...no bc of any type. Those were the days....surprised me and my chums survived the following summers of diving.

[Puffer Fish]

Newbies.... I had a octo in 1972... and with my trusty Fenzy (with air tank and power inflator) was ready for any emergency. Anyone remember the famous "shark Dart" and from the same people, fins that strapped to your leg (man were they painful)

[BSea]

Originally Posted by Puffer Fish

Newbies.... I had a octo in 1972... and with my trusty Fenzy (with air tank and power inflator) was ready for any emergency. Anyone remember the famous "shark Dart" and from the same people, fins that strapped to your leg (man were they painful)

The Shark Dart was basically a big hypo that injected compressed air. right? I don't remember the fins.