Vintage hard hat try-out dive...

[happy-diver]

Mate does Stephen K have any other expression

Magnificent!

Is that John McCormick behind you

 

[Wibble]

Another dumb question: how heavy are the foot weights? And the chest weight? Is there one on your back too?

 

[Fibonacci]

Another dumb question: how heavy are the foot weights? And the chest weight? Is there one on your back too?

Boots weigh about 15kg a pair, front and rear shaped lead chest weights about 20kg each so all up with the helmet you are carrying around 65kg.
Standing up off your dressing stool for the first time is a shock!

 

[Wibble]

Wow, almost as heavy as a twinset with three ali80s

 

[Fibonacci]

I also got a tiny insight to the world of hard hat commercial diving... I have even more respect for those guys doing deep saturation dives, and the level of training required.
How about this for don-and-doff?

 

[scubadada]

Hi @Fibonacci

Your post brought back fond memories.

In 2005, I took hyperbaric chamber operations from Dick Rutkowski, when Hyperbarics International was still located under the old Ocean Divers shop in Key Largo. On the last day, we were given the opportunity to dive a USN Mark V. We got dressed up and then went for a short walk on the bottom of the canal outside the shop. I would not be honest if I didn't admit I was a bit nervous walking around in nearly zero visibility wearing all that equipment and weight. It went uneventfully and I was left with a unique memory

 

[Searcaigh]

How about this for don-and-doff?

The standby diver could do with a decent longhose instead of a standard octopus.

 

[Akimbo]

Often wondered if you have to be upright when wearing Standard Dress. I suppose the suit to helmet flange is pretty gas proof. Do you adjust the flow of gas into the helmet?

You might find A Brief History of Diving (before 1943) interesting. Heavy gear is discussed in detail.

 

[broncobowsher]

I still want to try that (vintage and modern)