Ms

[Stephanie Ruscigno]

I was born into a diving family and when young did not appreciate all the "emergencies" my father put me through. So much so I did not see the big deal about "Jaws" except I actually appreciated their place in the ecosystem. He only alllowed us to use the spear guns we helped us build (talk about sore arms!) but that gave me the ability to truly play predator and choose well. Besides, there was a rule that you had to clean what you got. Back then you could be choosy. My dad's friends always had a chiopinno based on we all caught, but before we were allowed to dive, when too young or too dangerous we just played and wondered what was going to into the dinner. I never appreciated all the abalone or lobster and fresh fish then but now, especially when lent is coming up... The late 50s and 60s down in San Diego plenty was the norm, fun and safety was a muscle memory. Hard work at the beach was scraping off the abalone and then pounding it before frying.
Funny, jaws was no big deal because dad would pull your mask off, yank your air, spin you, scare you, unhook your lead weight belt (we made those ourselves, too) etc, etc BUT when I had my first true emergency, I was prepared. Never thanked him for that. ALso helped me get through the Army as I had the attitude I could do anything. Now that I am a grandma, I look forward to going to the beach to teach my grandchildren with all the new stuff how to do it, with a camera at first of course. What is a good age to ask my daughter when I can have them? She is too protective and never got to dive - just worked out that way. Was hoping her grandfather would.
I live to far away from the ocean but last time I dove was in Bonnaire - the day Sadaam was captured. My son says I have to go back so Binn Laden will get his. Just as soon as I get a chance...
I will not admit my age is over 29 or weight does not match my CDL. I will admit I have always wanted to explore a wreck I find with all kinds of treasure and history and beauty and in good shape and and and
This was so cool finding this site today. Hope I am not the only one a dumbo who gave up doving for any period of time. Hellllloooo fresh seafood and new friends and lots of megapixels for those cameras. I love nature so much and innerspace speaks to my innerchild. The dork emotion keeps flashing his sign. OK. OK. I admit it.
Have cool phots????

 

[scubamama5]

Good for you..divin' g-ma! Get back in there...dive, dive, dive. You don't say how old the grandkids are...or if they can swim? When my kids turned 2...and fearless.. I put them in wetsuits..helps with buoyancy. Little kids can have a hard time getting used to a mask and snorkel ... that would be a good first step...they can practice while taking a bath...then on to the pool..by 8yrs old they can "Bubble Blow" and go on Scuba in a pool (with an Instructor)...by 10Yrs old they can go on to discover scuba....a controlled experience with an Instructor...or/and even take the Open Water class.. Sounds like that'll be down the road...anyway.. Have fun, stay safe.

 

[herman]

Welcome back to diving and to the board. The old days are not totally dead, there are a good many of us keeping the old days alive restoring and diving the old equipment. Diving the way Jacque intended us to and the way Mike Nelson did - double hose regs, beaver tail wetsuits, round mask and no BCs. Come join us in the vintage section. A lot of divers from the old days and some of us who just wished we were.

 

[krawlings]

Welcome to scuba bioard. You will have lots of divers to talk to and remaniss about the old days

 

[Jethro]

I was born into a diving family and when young did not appreciate all the "emergencies" my father put me through. So much so I did not see the big deal about "Jaws" except I actually appreciated their place in the ecosystem. He only alllowed us to use the spear guns we helped us build (talk about sore arms!) but that gave me the ability to truly play predator and choose well. Besides, there was a rule that you had to clean what you got. Back then you could be choosy. My dad's friends always had a chiopinno based on we all caught, but before we were allowed to dive, when too young or too dangerous we just played and wondered what was going to into the dinner. I never appreciated all the abalone or lobster and fresh fish then but now, especially when lent is coming up... The late 50s and 60s down in San Diego plenty was the norm, fun and safety was a muscle memory. Hard work at the beach was scraping off the abalone and then pounding it before frying.
Funny, jaws was no big deal because dad would pull your mask off, yank your air, spin you, scare you, unhook your lead weight belt (we made those ourselves, too) etc, etc BUT when I had my first true emergency, I was prepared. Never thanked him for that. ALso helped me get through the Army as I had the attitude I could do anything. Now that I am a grandma, I look forward to going to the beach to teach my grandchildren with all the new stuff how to do it, with a camera at first of course. What is a good age to ask my daughter when I can have them? She is too protective and never got to dive - just worked out that way. Was hoping her grandfather would.
I live to far away from the ocean but last time I dove was in Bonnaire - the day Sadaam was captured. My son says I have to go back so Binn Laden will get his. Just as soon as I get a chance...
I will not admit my age is over 29 or weight does not match my CDL. I will admit I have always wanted to explore a wreck I find with all kinds of treasure and history and beauty and in good shape and and and
This was so cool finding this site today. Hope I am not the only one a dumbo who gave up doving for any period of time. Hellllloooo fresh seafood and new friends and lots of megapixels for those cameras. I love nature so much and innerspace speaks to my innerchild. The dork emotion keeps flashing his sign. OK. OK. I admit it.
Have cool phots????

Ms, Ruscigno I remember your father Harry Ruscigno very well, yes he was an advid diver. But as I remember you left to live with your grandparents as a toddler. Because of complicated divorce. I knew your when you were younger but I never knew of you ever diving. Jeff your brother dove some. But for you, if you did it was not like you say as a family. Like I say I knew Harry well I would have known. I remember you joing the California National Guard not the Army because you claimed an injury during boot camp for the guard and had to get out. So I doubt that you would have gotten into the army with your disability. Before I posted this I double checked with family members and they confirmed what I said.
I only posted this out of respect family. I am sure the people here would not mind your post and would welcome them. Just please do not mislead

 

[Sam Miller III]

Stephanie,

Met your father in Baja while he was still in college or just graduated from college and had or was moving to San Diego...That was a few years ago...We treasured our friendship lasted all so many years- so many good and great times together.

When he passed on I composed and posted the following about your remarkable father and my dear friend for so many years..I hope you approve,
SDM



Harry Ruscigno-Seatec Founder

Harry Ruscigno
(Dec 8,1933 to December 6,2008)

Harry Ruscigno (Ru sig ne-O) was the founder of Sea Tec/Inflatable systems,

He was a very active diver, a respected engineer who adapted his talents to the diving world over forty years ago.

Still a teen ager Harry was a founder and driving force in the pioneer diving club the San Jose Barbs in California. One of the oldest clubs in the world

After graduation from college he moved to San Diego area where he became active in competitive spear fishing competing in many local and regional spearfishing meets. He also served a term as president of the San Diego council of divers. During this time in San Diego he entered into the diving manufacturing business by producing small items for Bob Mitchell who had founded the original diving accessory company "Aqua Craft." Harry's first love was spearfishing so he also began producing custom made one of a kind Adict Spear guns.

A few years later he moved Orange California into a small building adjacent to Joe Lamonica (JBL) in where he established his company Sea Tec/Inflatable Systems. His very first product was the first American made large diameter oral inflator which revolutionized the design of primitive BCs. He then began developing a total inflation systems. He introduced the "dual bag inflation system" to the industry which became an industry standard and was adapted by most the major manufactures of that era.

Sea Tec's initial line was horse collars, later the BCs, & BIUs, were introduced. After much testing and experimentation he introduced the very popular rugged "Manta." Sea Tec moved to Corona enlarged their line to became a full line company marketing and producing fins masks, regulators and the very powerful and at that time the standard of the world the Sampson "World Record" spear gun

Harry eventually removed him self from the recreational diving manufacturing a number of years ago -- the recreational diving industry just would not support the type and quality inflation systems he wanted to produce, so he concentrated on the military and the law enforcement sector . Harry sold the SeaTec/Inflatable Systems several years ago but had been on a retainer as a consultant to the new owners of Sea Tec until his untimely death.

He served on the Board of directors of DEMA from 1978 to 1990 and was acclaimed as the first director Emeritus of DEMA.

I first met Harry on the beach in a deserted cove in Baja California, Mexican in the mid 1950s. I was shooting a highly modified extended Arablete, Harry was shooting a wood gun of his own design favored by the San Diego. Nether one of us won bragging rights that day but it did cemented a life long friendship.

We didn't come personally come in contact again until he established Sea Tec in Orange in the early 1970s.

We entered into a very interesting business/diving relationship. I would test dive and evaluate his prototype units and he would supply me with my choice of production units, which eventually was the never equaled Manta.

I recall so clearly one meeting when we were discussing a particular SeaTec model which I had made a number of suggestions for modifications. His response was that "The modifications were needed but it would not be accepted by the general public since there were a lot of people who dove but only abut 100 in the US who were divers."

I send my and my families' personal condolences, along with all of those past and present divers who have benefited so much from Harry's many contributions to his family; His wife Paula, his children Stephanie, Jeff, Valerie, Jack, Matt, Becky Toby and numerous grand and great grand children, too numerous to list and his many business associates and diving friends who also share in this great loss.


Dr. Samuel Miller,111​