Basic gear from mid-twentieth-century Spain: Other manufacturers

[David Wilson]

Today's Safari sub breathing tubes do not have their model names embossed on them, so I have simply named them "Elbow" and "Flex" un accordance with their construction. Elbow:

So a J-shaped snorkel with a combination mouthpiece and elbow at the demand end fitted to a straight open-topped barrel. Note the non-lug full oval biteplate mouthpiece.

 

[David Wilson]

I have dubbed today's second Safari sub breathing tube the "Flex", also lacking as it does any other model identification. Flex:

This snorkel has a straight open-topped barrel fitted at the demand end with a combination mouthpiece and flexible hose that will drop out of the way when the mouthpiece is removed from the diver's oral cavity. Once again, note the non-lug full oval biteplate mouthpiece. Note too "DIN 7878" embossed on the flexible-hose where it connects to the snorkel barrel. This now discontinued 1980 German Standard "Tauch-Zubehör; Schnorchel; Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen und Prüfung. Diving accessories for skin divers. Snorkel. Safety requirements and testing" prescribes specifications for breathing tubes. The newest replacement standard is European Standard EN 1972 of 2015: "Diving equipment. Snorkels. Requirements and test methods".

More Safari sub snorkels during the first weekend in February, which is a leap month this year with 29 days.

 

[David Wilson]

This morning's Safari sub model breathing tube is the "Olimpic", doubtless named after the Olympic Games. The snorkel:

Spanish: "Modelo Clásico idóneo para la pesca. Tubo de P.V.C."
Rough translation: "Classic model suitable for spearfishing. P.V.C. barrel".

So a straight plastic barrel topped at the supply end with a band designed to alert other water users and fitted at the demand end to a combined semi-rigid rubber elbow and mouthpiece. The latter is a non-lug type with a full oval biteplate for comfort.

 

[David Wilson]

Our second Safari sub breathing tube today is the Bahia, which translates as "Bay". The snorkel:

Spanish: "Modelo Populat Infantil. Con boya y tubo de P.V.C."
Rough translation: "Populat Children's Model. With floating ball valve and PVC tube".

So a snorkel designed for young people, fitted with a ball valve to shut off the air supply when the swimmer is submerged. At the demand end, a combined semi-rigid rubber elbow and mouthpiece. The latter is a non-lug type with a full oval biteplate.

The final two Safari sub nreathing tubes to be reviewed midweek.

 

[David Wilson]

Last of the Safari sub breathing tubes today. First the Sirena, which is Spanish for "mermaid". Image above of a bronze statue of a mermaid in the Spanish capital Madrid. The Sirena snorkel:

Spanish: "Modelo Popular para Cadete. Con boya y tubo de P.V.C."
Rough translation: "Popular Model for youngster. With (ball) valve and PVC tube".

So another breathing tube topped with a ball valve to shut off the air supply when submerged and fitted with a combined semi-rigid rubber elbow and mouthpiece at the demand end. Once again, the mouthpiece is fitted with a full oval biteplate. The model is intended for young people's use.

 

[David Wilson]

The final breathing tube to be reviewed is the Safari sub Squal, probably named after the Spanish word for "shark", "Squalo". The snorkel:

Spanish: "Modelo Popular para Cadete. Tubo de P.V.C."
Rough translation: "Popular Model for youngster. PVC tube".

Once again a model for the younger generation, fitted with the now familiar combination rubber U-bend and mouthpiece. The latter comes with a full oval biteplate.

At the weekend we shall be moving on to Safari sub snorkel-masks.

 

[David Wilson]

To the best of my knowledge, Safari sub manufactured half-a-dozen different snorkel-masks over the decades. We shall review them alphabetically as I have been unable so far to create a timeline for their production. First up is the Akali. According to Britannica, Akali is Punjabi for “Timeless One,” or “Eternal One”) and is the name of a movement in Sikhism. The snorkel-mask:

Spanish: "Modelo para adultos. Gran visibilidad. Cerco de nylon".
Rough translation: "Model for adults. Great visibility. Nylon rim".

So a rounded rectangular mask with a red or orange plastic-rim and a split strap adjustable with twin metal buckles. The single breating tube emerges from a plastic socket located top centre and ending at the supply end with a ball valve in a plastic cage to shut off the airflow when the tip of the snorkel is submerged. The snorkel-mask appears to be designed to enclose the eyes and nose only, enabling nasal breathing but leaving the mouth uncovered.

More Safari sub snorkel-mask imagery:

 

[David Wilson]

Now for the Safari sub Capri snorkel-mask, which was named after the island (above) located in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the Sorrento Peninsula, on the south side of the Gulf of Naples in the Campania region of Italy. The snorkel-mask:

So a black or blue oval snorkel-mask with stainless-steel rim and snorkel socket located top centre. The mask is attached to the head with a split strap adjustable with twin metal buckles. The single snorkel has a plastic barrel and is topped with a ball valve to shut off the air supply when submerged.

A further couple of Safari sub snorkel-masks to be reviewed midweek.

 

[WeRtheOcean]

designed to enclose the eyes and nose only, enabling nasal breathing but leaving the mouth uncovered.

I'm pretty sure there's a reason why you just don't see that anymore...

 

[David Wilson]

I'm pretty sure there's a reason why you just don't see that anymore...

There are second-generation snorkel-masks in production nowadays that enclose the nose and eyes but leave the mouth free (below).