Wow,am I overwhelmed.

[Hippie Dan]

Hi guys, just joined mon. am looking for direction from everyone cause I haven't dove since 74. Am getting back under the water cause I can now and I've allways wanted to since I got introduced in 72 by by brother&b-i-l. So my first question is ; for recreational diving-6-7 times a summer-probably never deeper than 50'-northern michigan lakes. Do I need a BC device/vest/etc? Can I use a double back pac and weight belt (I see the new soft ones). I don't want to sound all vintage, but I can score a nos usdivers double back pac. I thought that might be a great start for my gear. got to use a double back in the day, would love the freedom it offers today. So I'll trust everyones opion.We're on our boat all summer weekends and even some of our biggest lakes aren't over 50', a couple of famous deep ones but not my range. Would my local dive shop freak out if a guy showed up with that kinda set-up for his cert classes? I quess that's it . Where I go from here will determine my next set of questions. Thanks for your time, Dan

 

[herman]

Welcome to the board and back to diving.
Basically you just kicked a big can of worms. Everyone has their own opinion, most of it is not "wrong" but then again just because I like it does not mean it's right for you. Few people today know how to dive the way you learned back in the 70s when gear was simpler. Most today relay on modern gear instead of diving skills. Do you "need" a BC, no not actually but most divers today have no idea that you can dive without one much less how to do it safely. Starting off in doubles also opens up a lot of issues for you, not the least of which is cost, both in the original purchase but also in on going maintenance. At the depths your dive will tend to be (<50ft) a single 80 will do nicely without the extra expense of doubles.
My suggestion would be to retake an OW course to learn the current "style" of diving. Classes usually include all the major equipment like regs and BCs so you don't need to buy any gear just yet. Your old mask, snorkle and fins are fine as long as they are still serviceable. And yes 90% of all instructors would totally freak if you showed up with doubles and no BC to class. Once you have been through the class, evaluate for yourself what gear is best for you. My point of reference is a lot different then the majority of SB members, 90% of my dives are done with no BC, a simple backpack and a double hose reg and little else. I prefer the old school style when it is appropriate for the dive.

 

[ams511]

Dan, I would suggest you post in the vintage scuba forum for better answers. If you are just diving by yourself in a lake then you can do what you want. If you want to take lessons (which you should after a 40 year lay-off), or dive off a boat, then most if not all operators will insist you have more modern gear, such as a BC, octopus, and pressure gauge. Items that were not in common use in the late 60s early 70s.

 

[KeithG]

You NEED to know the correct answers. You can then do what you please. There are no scuba police.

Some scuba knowledge has changed since 74. Not a lot. But some. Nitrox, deep air, octos, ...

Consider taking a refresher course to make sure you have been exposed to the newer knowledge. Then do what you want. About the only advance since mid 80's is the dive computer....

 

[Nirvana]

Dan, I haven't been diving as long as you and I am not familiar with the equipment you used back when you were introduced to the sport. I can't comment, then, on what pieces of gear are still considered safe or are usable with modern equipment. However, the fact that you also don't know and that you have been away from diving for a long time indicates that it would probably be better if you took a refresher class or a standard OW class.

Ideally, you would take the class with an instructor that has been diving for as long as you and can give you feedback on which part of training and equipment choice is still adequate and which part had to be updated. After the course, you could, as suggested by previous posters, discuss the usage of vintage equipment on the appropriate forum here on this site.

I believe that this way you can be better ensured that your skills are up to par and you can also make a more informed decision on how you wish to combine old and new gears and techniques.

EDIT: just as Herman suggested before me, I now see.

 

[Nemrod]

Would my local dive shop freak out if a guy showed up with that kinda set-up for his cert classes? I quess that's it . Where I go from here will determine my next set of questions. Thanks for your time, Dan

Yes, they would freak out.

I suggest you either mentor with another experienced diver or re-take a SCUBA course.

Many of us are into Vintage Equipment Diving ( Vintage Scuba - Vintage Scuba Gear at Vintage Double Hose ) or Minimalist SCUBA, which are not one in the same, though they have a common heritage.

You do not need double tanks.

Despite the fact that I often do not use a BC "vest" as you call it, I am also a very strong swimmer, are you?

Gear used in earlier years is just as safe today as it ever was, however, very few modern trained divers understand the significant difference in technique that was used to employ that gear. In those earlier times, divers relied more upon good water skills and dive planning, today they rely on Poodle Jackets (comfy life jacket like vests) and computers to eliminate the need to plan dives.

So, Hippie Dan, you can be one of those guys or one of us guys.

Hippie N

 

[kwinter]

Somewhere in my attic I probably still have my first horse collar with a CO2 cartridge from the early 70s. But I wouldn't dream of using it. When I returned to diving after a 25 year hiatus, I started from scratch with an open water certification course and then some new gear (although I still used my original Scubapro MK5 regulator). Equipment and techniques have changed, as has the science behind diving.

I have a dive buddy now who was a licensed pilot back in the 70s and 80s. But he wouldn't dream of taking a plane up now without going through flight school again. Isn't your life worth more than the cost and inconvenience of starting over?

 

[Mr Carcharodon]

Would my local dive shop freak out if a guy showed up with that kinda set-up for his cert classes? I quess that's it . Dan

Well you can only hope so, that sounds entertaining.

After all why do you care what your local dive shop has to say? Do check, or have checked out, your gear before diving it after a 40 year hiatus. Your BC needs to work, but that comes down to being able to hold air. You could check that yourself. The sticky thread at the top of the regulator forum has a good checklist on inspecting your regulator by yourself. Or you could have your LDS do that. Providing a lunatic response is a possibility from your LDS. Beyond that do 2-5 dives at 30 feet of fresh water, or less, before going deeper to be sure you are dialed in. Don't worry too much about the freak out potential of your local dive shop. That has little to do with if you are OK or not.

 

[Dave616]

Dan,
What part of MI are you in? If you happen to be in the GR area, Moby's, American Dive Zone, and Great Lakes Dive Locker are the 3 main dive shops. American Dive Zone and Great Lakes Dive locker carry the most "in stock" equipment but all would be able to get you answers and training.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Another way to look at it is a Model T is still drivable but there is more than one reason cars are more than that these days. You might be quite surprised to find yourself enjoying the "new" ways. Take a certification course. Shouldn't hurt you and you might learn something or remember somethings you'd not realized you'd forgotten. And getting on the Vintage subforum is also excellent advice you were given.