Using a Horse collar BC

[VAmil diver]

I'm new to diving and the BC I have access to is my father's aqualung calypso horse collar BC. iv'e never used it, having just used the gear from the group that certified me.

I know horse collars aren't used very much anymore.

So my question is would it be better for me to just take the loss and buy a more modern style or use the horse collar?

 

[Thalassamania]

If you find someone who knows how to dive vintage gear you're set ... though a BP/W or BC might be a little easier to use considering the way in which you were likely trained.

 

[cloudflint]

I dive a horse collar alot, It has a few advantages and disadvantages mainly depending on what you want it to do. Its good for on the surface since it tends to put you on your back rather than putting you on your front which most modern bc's will do. I also like the lightness of it all compared to modern bc's, you just slip the harness on and go. On the downside however it does have a tendency to try to put you on your back underwater if you have air in it which can take some getting used to. Also it does make your front a bit cluttered if your wanting to carry lots of kit.

Another thing to look out for if its an old BC is the state of the inflater. I stripped down the inflater on my horse collar when I got it and discovered that the intake was totally blocked off with salt. I also spent quite a while checking for any leaks or worn parts.

Overall I would say if it does its job and its in good condition there's no reason you shouldn't dive it. Just remember it would take a while to get used to and it is different to diving the more modern stuff.

EDIT: I almost forgot the most important part, something that every horse-collar BC diver learns, If you do dive it make sure you adjust the straps with it fully inflated. Otherwise when you inflate it underwater depending on the design the crotch strap can be pulled up which can be quite painful

EDIT2: also proper weighting is the key, the more you have to put into it to compensate for being too negatively buoyant, the more it will try to pull you round.

 

[herman]

Welcome to the board. Nothing wrong with learning to use a HC in and of itself HOWEVER, the old USD horse collars were very prone to failure. The differnet plastics between the bladder and the harder plastic parts (inflators and deflators) did not play well together and it's very rare to find one suitable for diving, esp for a new diver. The hard plastics tend to be very brittle and major failure is common. Failure of the BC is more likely to be a major event for a new dive as opposed to it being just a pain in the rear to a more expereinced diver. I have had 3 or 4 of them but only one did I "repair" to the point it was even remotely fit for diving and only then in very easy conditions where it's more for show than actual use......and it took 2 tubes of Aquaseal to patch it up. I love the old gear and dive it a lot but this is one case where I would suggest you put it on the shelf for a while. If it were an old Dacor or Seaquest I would have a little differnet opinion, those seem to last forever.

 

[herman]

Seeing VA in your name, if you are in lower VA maybe we can get together some time and I can give you a better idea if it's worth diving. I have a couple of good condition ones if you want to try one......and a double hose regulator to go with it if you like.

 

[fjpatrum]

I've never dived with a horse-collar per se. I will suggest that you consider "converting" it to a wing and slapping it on your back. I converted an old horse collar to a wing and it works beautifully, though I'm a lot more willing to modify things than most folks. I found my inflator hose needed to be moved but other than that (and some dry-rotted rubber that needed repair) it's doing quite well for me. I could dive the thing without moving the hose, I just had to route it differently.

Either way you decide to go with it, just give it a nice thorough inspection before going on a deep (below 30 feet, let's say) with it. The dump valve on mine failed even after I inspected it and I found the rubber between the plastic parts had gotten brittle. Easy repair, for me, but not something I would have liked to find out on a deep dive.

Here's a thread I started about the "conversion":
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/making-your-own-gear/355258-homegrown-wing.html

So, check for rubber on the bladder that isn't pliable or has discolored significantly. (If so, repair or retire the unit.) Make sure the inflator hose works and is also still supple. Check the OPV (dump valve) and actuate it a couple times, with air and by pulling the cord. If you have the tools to take it apart (pretty cheap tool but it can be done by hand if someone hasn't sealed it with silicone like they did mine) then inspect it internally as well. Replace any gaskets that are dried out or feel brittle in any way.

Other than that, enjoy. Horse collars are definitely less clutter than some more modern BCs but I'm sure there are some learning curves that go along with them.