Long time between dives

[Teamcasa]

Well, if the equipment hasn't been used AT ALL in close to 20 yrs, wouldn't it probably be no good though. We'll definitely inspect it though.

I guess maybe it also depends on the quality of the equipment as well & whether it is still good. If it was a Walmart mask (which I doubt), then it probably is no good, but some other better equipment could possibly still be good.

A lot has to do with how well it was cleaned, where and how the gear was stored. Hard gear, properly stored, should be fine, just have it serviced. Soft gear may be more problematic, again, it depends on how well it was cleaned and stored.

 

[Walter]

Other than the computers, the gear has not changed much in functionality but it is more efficient and expensive.

We now have nitrox computers vs only air computers with tables being the only option for nitrox 20 years ago. Other than that, the average computer has not changed much. In what way is today's gear "more efficient?"

 

[Teamcasa]

We now have nitrox computers vs only air computers with tables being the only option for nitrox 20 years ago. Other than that, the average computer has not changed much. In what way is today's gear "more efficient?"

Beside the fact that most new gear is lighter weight, we also have lighter weight 1st and second stage regulators, stronger and more flexible hoses, new sleek wings and BCDs, lighter and more efficient materials in fins, better silicone in masks, higher quality stretchy neoprene, pro valves in tanks and the list goes on and on.

 

[Stu S.]

It depends on how experienced the lady was way back when, and how comfortable she feels today.

I was an active diver in the 1970's and 80's. I quit diving in 1987 and resumed in 2005. I bought a few new things, rented some, and plunked on in 18 years later. Just as easy as it ever was. I eventually bought a computer. Newer gear and nitrox came later.

A 2000's diver won't know how much training it took to get certified in 1977. Ten weeks. Lots of time in the water. That's probably one reason I retained the know-how. That and a lot of dives.

Hopefully this lady gets back into diving and has a lot of fun. I'm glad I did.

 

[Walter]

Beside the fact that most new gear is lighter weight, we also have lighter weight 1st and second stage regulators, stronger and more flexible hoses, new sleek wings and BCDs, lighter and more efficient materials in fins, better silicone in masks, higher quality stretchy neoprene, pro valves in tanks and the list goes on and on.

While not common, there are titanium regulators available which does reduce the weight of the first stage, but transferring weight from a regulator to a weight belt isn't something I consider more efficient. Second stages were already being made of plastic 20 years ago. Hoses have not changed and even if they had, they wouldn't be noticeable on a dive. Wings weren't around in the 80s (at least I'd never heard of them), but they are essentially just another BC and are still fairly rare. The best BC, IMO, is the Scubapro Classic Sport. Except for cosmetics, it's been around since the 70s. The two best and most efficient fins I've ever tried are Jets which have been around since the mid 60s and Duck Feet which have been around even longer. Masks are essentially unchanged from 20 years ago, although some models are now "frameless." The "Superstretch" neoprene is new, but while the suits are easier to don, the insulation properties are less efficient. What are "pro valves?"

 

[Teamcasa]

Walter I made a new thread for this discussion.
Spin Off.. Is modern scuba gear more efficient today than 20 years ago?

 

[dkktsunami]

If she has a c-card she can likely dive in a lot of places, some operations will ask the date of the last dive, but most places will allow her to dive. Obviously the right thing to do is a refresher course.

 

[Walter]

Thanks for the link to the valve. It's merely a valve, nothing special about it. I can't believe you would think it would require someone to take a refresher.

I have no interest in your new thread. The topic is only of interest to me as it relates to the topic being discussed here.

The reason she needs to take a course has nothing to do with gear changes since she last dived, changes in gear have been very minor.

 

[perdidochas]

Yea, I would think it would be good to take some refresher course anyway. She even mentioned how she still had her snorkel, mask and fins from back then and would have to try and find them for diving again. I kind of laughed at that idea & told her to basically pitch that stuff in the trash cause chances are VERY high that they are probably basically no good and have dry rot throughout. The minute she tries to put the mask on, it will break. I would think this is safe to say, right?

I've got a 20 yr old mask and 22 yr old fins. They are just fine. Silicon doesn't dry rot like rubber. I would recommend she try them out before ditching them.

 

[Bill_PNW_Diver]

I went over 15 years between dives. I decided that it was in my best interest to re-do my OW certification before I got in the water rather than just take a refresher course.

My reasoning was:
- I had forgotten most of what I learned in my original OW course. While most of it came back to me once I got in the classroom and pool, I was still learning things over again.
- My physiology had changed. When I first learned to dive I was in the Marine Corps and in great shape. Not so much anymore ;-). I needed to relearn how to comfortably move in the water.
- All of my original diving was in Okinawa and the Philippines, clear and for the most part warm water. I now dive mostly in the Pacific Northwest where it's always cold and the vis is hit or miss (mostly miss). I needed to learn how to dive in this environment.
- I wanted to understand more current gear. Although the basics of gear is the same, things have come along way. Computers were around in the early 90's but I had never actually used or seen one (being in the military, discretionary income was non existent and they were expenseive).

Just my humble opinion.
Refreshers are great if you've been out of the water a couple of years. But after 20 years without diving you should look at starting at the beginning. It will benefit your diving in the long term and make you safer in the water.