Los Angeles County Diving Education film

[MaxBottomtime]

 

[stretchthepenn]

Wow...cool video. Thanks for posting.

 

[scubadada]

I trained with LAC in 1970, not quite as draconian, but close. Thanks for posting.

 

[Compressor]

OMG. Crazy funny in the beginning.
Thanks for posting.

 

[rx7diver]

The equipment is so uncomplicated and minimalist. I really like this type of recreational diving. I would love to try this in a marine environment. Thanks, MaxBottomtime.

rx7diver

 

[Sam Miller III]

@MaxBottomtime

Thanks for unearthing this LA Co UW Instructors Association film, It has been several years since I thought about it- now after watching it there are so many memories contained in the film-- most who appear in the film are now in the big reef in the sky - only a few remain .

It was a cooperative effort of all LA Co Instructors as an instrument to entice the general public to become involved in diving.

It is interesting at the time this was produced there was only 4 female LA Co UW instructors-- therefore only 4 in the world-- but they were divers not individuals who dove and the were UW instructors not individuals who just instruct. Only one female LA Co UW Instructor appears in the program- the rest are girl friends or wives of the actors.....Interesting what the passage of almost 60 years and watering down requirements produces.

After watching it again I think it just might be appropriate to ID those who are promiate in the production-- for my selfish memories and for future researchers of diving history

Thanks again for unearthing this long forgotten film - it is appreciated by at least six people on this board
Sam Miller, 111

 

[DerekR]

I started in '71 and so much of this brings back memories!

 

[Sam Miller III]

@DerekR
Reading these posts and yours reminds me of old memories and my age

At he time the film was produced I was and had been a very active LA Co UW instructor.- I could had been in the film but had young mouths to feed .

FYI in 1964(54 years ago) I was awarded the honor of "Out standing contributions to UW instruction" and in 1969 (49 years ago ) I was awarded the honor of "Out standing LA county UW instructor of the year"
(after that I began purchasing brass polish by the gallon)

Almost all those in the movie are gone - all gone except one who I remain in contact after all these good and great years- the blonde trapped in the boat

Thanks for the memories

Sam Miller, 111

 

[EastEndDiver]

That video was great !! !

So much has been lost in teaching.

 

[Sam Miller III]

The opening sequence was narrated by Col. John D Craig, LA Co UW Instructor. The sequence was obtained from Walt Disney productions at no cost to the underwater Instructors association (aka UIA)

John was a great story teller and the stories he told about his many UW adventures which spanned 7 decades

John wrote a book published in 1938 Tilted "Danger is my Business" (literary guild ,NYC & Simon & Schuster, NYC, 309 pages with photographs and second edition Garden City Publishing company Garden City NJ. 1941 309 pages with photographs. NO LCCC or ISBN numbers on books

John inscribed the first edition to me as follows "To Sam Miller , From one lousy diver to another, November 1, 1961"
(good gosh ! That was before @drbill graced diving !)

John Passed away August 31, 1997 age 95 in Phoenix Arizona and is interned at Rose Hills in Whittier. He was survived by his wife Millie and two daughters

His wife Millie was known for her "Sweat Baked Beans." The UIA on occasion had get to gathers - aka pot lucks. Millie's beans were always the hit of the gatherings. I was fortunate that she shared the recipe with me which are now the hit of our family gatherings

Those were the days - experienced by a few and will never be duplicated again on this earth

More to follow

Sam Miller, 111