GrumpyOldGuy
Contributor
For me it drives home how much divers today are dependent upon their equipment. Years ago we didn't have any means of positive buoyancy other than our fins or dropping our weight belt. We routinely did dives of 100 FSW or greater and had to kick like hell to get back to the surface.
We also had wetsuits that compressed less and loss less buoyancy with depth. They were more often custom fit because they did not stretch much either. The stock sized, super stretch, very comfy suites we buy off the rack now come with an increased reliance on technology (BCD). I did do some of my first dives sans BCD (just a Mae West), pain in the butt, 2 dives and I was ready to spend some money on a BCD.