Old School

[garyfotodiver]

Call me a curmudgeon. I found the quality of my original, 34-year old equipment no less than my newer stuff. I never had a j-valve failure, took my piston first-stage regulator down to 110fsw on a December North Atlantic wreck dive, was warm in my 1/4" neoprene wet suit. My current regulator is 9 years old and is in fine shape (just recently serviced). Just replaced my Dacor Caribbean BCD with an Aqualung Wave. Never had a failure with the newer equipment either.

I do find the quality of many of the recently-certified divers to be less than ideal. The only events I have had during diving were with newbies running away from the group or from a buddy.

In any event, happy diving new-style!

 

[OkieAL]

Where in OK? We have to go to Beaver Lake in NW Ark for any diving - have you tried it?

I'm from Edmond Oklahoma, north side of OKC.
Yes, my last dive was Beaver Lake in 1989. I heard some of the Oklahoma lakes have gotten too murky.
Glad to hear Beaver is still a good dive.

Thanks
Al

 

[OkieAL]

Equipment in general is much better, more sophisticated and reliable.
Computers. Who knew?

Agreed! My old IST fins cracked, so I spent the day (and $$$) checking out every dive shop in town. There used to be just one, now there are 12 shops!
Mainly glad that years of computer advances are making diving safer and enjoyable. I'll find the equipment board to ask advice on gear and computers.

Have fun, be safe.
Al

 

[charmygirl]

Howdy all,
I'm getting back into diving after 15 year 'surface interval'. My last dive was in 1989 in Oklahoma. Boy things have changed! My gear dry rotted. I had to throw out my old dive tables and found out they call buddy breathing 'archaic' and don't teach it any more. Made me feel old. Well, older... I've signed up for a safety refresher next week and they said this was the best board.

Look forward to hearing from other Old Schoolers.
What else has changed?
Al

You are going to be so glad you found this board. I have been diving for 15 years, yet have learned so much in the short time I have been on SB.

Welcome to SB and (back) to diving!

K