This is a sincere post for discussion, no fighting. This is a picture of a Dacor SeaChute dual bladder horsecollar BC I purchased sometimes in the mid 70s, don't remember exactly. It is unusual in that it has two sections. The lower section is inflated manually or using the LP inflator and provides about 15 pounds of bouyancy. The upper section is either manually inflated or CO2 inflated and provides another 15 pounds or so of bouyancy. Notice also the two dump valves and dump on the end of the hose (which is removed now because I am repairing it) and also note the large bellows pocket with zipper great for carrying gloves, keys, tools, computers etc. In use the LP hose routes down and under the left arm to the power inflator--very sleek. This BC is longer in the torso than the standard issue horsecollar and the purpose of that is to place the center of lift under the tummy.
I have used this BC off and on for years. I used it extensively cave diving through the late 70s and into the 80s. It provides for an extremely sleek contour and neutral trim using twinned steel 72s. I have used no BC, various Mae West types, horsecollars of various manner and of course wings and back inflate including the latest types--none---equal this one in terms of streamlining. Of course it had some disadvantages, with heavy tanks it tends to roll you, it has limited bouyancy capacity, it must be put on seperately from your other gear unlike a BP/wing. That said, as a fan of the BP and wing, this presents a sleeker profile. In a wreck or a tight area there simply is nothing protruding from you and it is tight to the body. You can dump air quickly using the manual dump so you don't even bother with the dump on the hose end and inflation is quick because you don't have to move your arm far to hit the inflate button.
This BC probably represents one of the most advanced horsecollar BCs ever made, the end of an era that in some ways is superior to what we have now. It dives great with a BP and small doubles or singles and will definitly float you face up, especially if you pull that CO2 cartridge--lol. It is also highly visible on the surface. Of course, consider, it has built in redundancy as well. Perhaps not evident but should the lower bag be damaged, the upper bag could be used for bouyancy control and unlike primitive Mae West type vests that upper compartment has a full size manual dump so bouyancy could be controlled while ascending. Inflation would be via the small mouth tube, works real good, in a pinch.
Why do you think such equipment went away, killed off by poodle jackets in the 80s is the most likely explanation but what if it came back, would it be considered a viable choice for some types of diving today? N
addendum: As a geologist and amateur paleontologist and lover of the ancient world one might say something is obsolete. Nonetheless, as obsolete as a raptor might be if we could time warp one into the present, nobody would really argue it's deadly capability compared to modern predators in similar positions in the food chain--lol.
I have used this BC off and on for years. I used it extensively cave diving through the late 70s and into the 80s. It provides for an extremely sleek contour and neutral trim using twinned steel 72s. I have used no BC, various Mae West types, horsecollars of various manner and of course wings and back inflate including the latest types--none---equal this one in terms of streamlining. Of course it had some disadvantages, with heavy tanks it tends to roll you, it has limited bouyancy capacity, it must be put on seperately from your other gear unlike a BP/wing. That said, as a fan of the BP and wing, this presents a sleeker profile. In a wreck or a tight area there simply is nothing protruding from you and it is tight to the body. You can dump air quickly using the manual dump so you don't even bother with the dump on the hose end and inflation is quick because you don't have to move your arm far to hit the inflate button.
This BC probably represents one of the most advanced horsecollar BCs ever made, the end of an era that in some ways is superior to what we have now. It dives great with a BP and small doubles or singles and will definitly float you face up, especially if you pull that CO2 cartridge--lol. It is also highly visible on the surface. Of course, consider, it has built in redundancy as well. Perhaps not evident but should the lower bag be damaged, the upper bag could be used for bouyancy control and unlike primitive Mae West type vests that upper compartment has a full size manual dump so bouyancy could be controlled while ascending. Inflation would be via the small mouth tube, works real good, in a pinch.
Why do you think such equipment went away, killed off by poodle jackets in the 80s is the most likely explanation but what if it came back, would it be considered a viable choice for some types of diving today? N
addendum: As a geologist and amateur paleontologist and lover of the ancient world one might say something is obsolete. Nonetheless, as obsolete as a raptor might be if we could time warp one into the present, nobody would really argue it's deadly capability compared to modern predators in similar positions in the food chain--lol.
