Your oldest piece of dive gear that still functions

[jadairiii]

Found this in one of my gear boxes, it is my very first snorkel, Healthways. I believe is was purchased around 1970 or 1972, for one of my first family vacations to the Keys (Islamorada). Only modification is that I sealed the drain valve when the diaphragm rotted out. And I replaced the orange safety sticker.

 

[broncobowsher]

Pretty sure I have a tank that dates back to the 50s.

 

[The Chairman]

That would be me.

I still have my original rocket fins I bought in 1969 from the late great Hal Watts. Nope, they don't fit anymore. Hal told me I could kick the crap out of the reefs without hurting the fins. So thankful that our outlook has changed. Miss you, Hal!

 

[Cthippo]

Steel 72 from the mid-late 60s

 

[David Wilson]

These two British diving masks in my collection date from the 1960s, meaning they are both at least 50 years old:

Typhoon Super Star

Typhoon Blue Star

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In both cases the rubber body remains supple with no signs of perishing whatsoever. For a mask to stay as good as new, it must be made of good quality materials and stored away from extreme temperatures, direct sunlight and corrosive chemicals.

I've snorkelled with both masks, but sparingly. The sea hereabouts (North East England) can be choppy and over the years I've lost one or two other, expendable, classic ovals in the waves. The Super Star was a birthday gift from my parents, so it has sentimental value as well as offering full functionality and a perfect fit. The Blue Star was an eBay acquisition and from its condition and the presence of its original box I suspect it too has been lovingly conserved across several decades.

 

[rhwestfall]

'58 DA Aquamaster (though it has a significant amount of new VDH parts in it)...

Which I actually dive for most of my current (recreational) diving.

 

[rhwestfall]

ScubaPro MK-2 (gen1 from 1963)....

 

[David Wilson]

Made by So-Lo Marx in Loveland, Ohio, between 1959 and the mid-1960s, the Skooba-"totes" Golden Tiger drysuit below is also from my diving history collection and I have used it occasionally to keep warm and dry while snorkelling in the North Sea off the coast of North East England. This apparel had the virtue of simplicity, its thin material worn over warm underclothing not only reducing body heat loss but also raising fewer obstacles to swimming movements.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I still use these occasionally. They are still as acurate as my computer.

 

[Celt]

My Spiro gauges still work perfectly,