Getting a diver's lifejacket ("horsecollar" type)

[Anthony Appleyard]

Are any sorts of the old-type "horsecollar" diver's inflatable lifejackets still available to buy new?

Fenzy seems to have stopped when Honeywell took them over.

BRAND NEW (Discontinued): Buddy Pacific ABLJ Horsecollar bcd!
That link seems to say that the Buddy Pacific has been discontinued.

 

[Bob DBF]

Amazon.com : AQUATEC Diving Horse Collar BCD BC-002 : Sports & Outdoors



Bob

 

[DogDiver]

Not sure why you would want one. Obsolete and belong hanging on a museum wall.

 

[Bob DBF]

Not obsolete, just no longer used widely in recreational diving.

It is the only BC I know of that can be used as a life jacket, when inflated it will keep the diver face up even if unconscious.


Bob

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Seatec horse collar still being used by my buddies.

 

[RIHappyDiver]

@MaxBottomtime, he doesn’t still have the CO2 cartridge in it, does he? Back in ‘82, or so, my dad got the pull cord on his caught on something at 30’. I could not hold him down while he was trying to purge it. Fortunately, he survived to tell the tale.

 

[g1138]

Aqualung currently holds and produces Fenzy x4's to military & public safety only.
Theoretically a dealer with a high standing might be able to finagle a civilian purchase.
http://www.aqualung.com/militaryandprofessional/product_information/X4_FENZY_MILITARY_BC.pdf

Seatec Sunfish is also in production but marketed to military only, though you can find a current 4 stock on ebay that is used and very abused disposition from previous military stock. Rarely you'll find others popping up on ebay.
Used Seatec Sunfish Military Grade HorseCollar BCD Buoyancy Control Device | eBay

Aquatec, which was linked by Bob DBF is the only "easy" to access new for civilian market.

 

[PfcAJ]

New & Used Scuba Dive Gear - Amerisea Horse Collar BCD - Discount Divers Supply

I recently purchased an amerisea horsecollar new from my LDS. 75 bucks. Made out like a bandit.

 

[GJC]

Aqua Lung Calypso Military Buoyancy Compensator 3940-50

You have to login to see price $287

 

[happy-diver]

Fairdinkum, look at how happy the bloke up there is.
He's his own dsmb, ha ha ha ha ha
That's diving.
How come his mask doesn't fill with water???? So cool!

Anyhow folks avoid the aquatec, it's a poor cheap attempt at what, I haven't figured out yet.....

More to follow.....................