Vintage Double Hose Regulator

[acelockco]

I just picked up a few vintage Aqua-Lung double hose regulators which I think are from 1958.

I was wondering if anyone else here has any of these type of regulators? I really love vintage SCUBA gear and these are going to be the first two pieces in my collection.

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on a good way to display these? I am thinking about making a mount for them so they can be stood up somehow.

I did not originally buy these to dive with, but I have recently found out that they can be serviced and used. I know it is not something I would want use on a regular basis, but there is a club that dives vintage gear twice a year for an event. Anyone else out there collect or dive this type of stuff?

Here are a few photos of the regulators.

[hbh2oguard]

Well good luck trying to kill yourself, if I heard correctly remember to roll to the right to clear them.:) Maybe display them in a glass top table, or the normal dive shop I have has a whole bunch of old scuba stuff in a trophy like glass cabinet.

[acelockco]

Kill myself?

No really, from what I have been reading they actually are very durable, reliable and diveable. Again, I would only think of doing it once to try them out, but then again, my original and main intention is to have them on display. Of course I would never think about diving them without first getting them rebuilt and tested. I am a little crazy, but not stupid!

I have been looking, and found some nice display cases that will do nicely. I am trying to set up something cool with some of the things I found while diving along with some vintage gear. I have a few brass items and such from wreck diving and a few shells and other finds.

Anyone else have any SCUBA displays or similar?


And yes, I am thinking something similar to what most dive shops have set up. And maybe someday this stuff will wind up in my dive shop if I ever go in that direction.

[amtrosie]

Ace,


As I get older, er..... I mean gain experience. I have really started to become interested in the origins of SCUBA. Especially the equipment employed by these very brave pioneers. Starting to collect these relics of diving is very intriguing. It is something that I have been interested in for quite some time. The fact that there is a dive club devoted to this is awesome. To dive this gear would be quite an experience, and one that would, no doubt, lead to a much greater appreciation of the difficulties these early pioneers experienced on a daily basis.

Go for it!!!!

[BamaCaveDiver]

Cool find ace. Sure it will look cool on display, but think about how much more interesting it will be if you can explain all the intracacies of using it (like the side roll to clear water from the loop) based upon actual experiences with it in the water. The vintage scuba folks are pretty good at offering help and advice to get these old rigs back into the water where they rightfully belong, and they are a blast to dive.

[hbh2oguard]

OK maybe not kill your self. But I guess if you could get it rebuilt that would be cool to dive with a few times with that dive club you were talking about. My only advice is to have a back up pony tank because even if it's rebuilt it's still really old to trust 100%. Have fun and let us know if you ever get them in the water.

[acelockco]

Well I am a gear junkie and love to B.S. about scuba related things. It really will be a blast to try this stuff out with the other divers.

I also found a few other items around my house from scuba-past. I found an old ikelite dive light that uses the old 6 volt dry cell. It actually still works! I used it on a dive earlier this year. Of course it is not nearly as old as the regulators I have.

My wife found a vintage dacor dive knife while on a dive together. It was found in fresh water, and looks like the day it was new! I have no idea on the age, but it is a massive RAMBO style knife and nothing I would want to have for diving.

I think that every one of us (us that are really into diving) have a collection of scuba stuff. It could be vintage gear, things found while diving, and even dive photos. What a great way to share our love for scuba with our diving and non-diving friends and family. Who knows, maybe something you have will spark someones intrest in this great sport.

[lottie]

my mom still has her mask and snorkel from when she used to dive about 25 years ago and they are still in good condition. Okay, so it's not in the same league as the stuff you've got Ace.

one piece of advice - just be careful when you're using that stuff...and stay shallow, just in case it ends up not working. We don't wanna miss our Ace :) ;)

[acelockco]

Word!

I would surely have a redundant system nearby, and these dives take place in a quarry under pretty controlled conditions with safety divers and photographers. Supposedly the news showed up last year.

Anyway, Lottie your stuff is definately in line with what I am talking about. If anything it is even better because it was something that you know the history of and have ties to. Maybe you can use that as a start to your own collection.

I am acutally looking for an old school mask right now. I figure if I am going to dive the double hose reg, I will have to get the rest of the old vintage gear to go along with it. Old horse collar BC, plastic hard pack, double 45'ish tanks and whatever else I can find. Maybe a Creature from the Black Lagoon to pose with as well.

[lottie]

Maybe a Creature from the Black Lagoon to pose with as well.

They have "The Thing" down here....it only comes out at night though and nobody knows what it is...<cue the scary music> :)

[hbh2oguard]

Hey ace I have the hard plastic plate and the horse collar bc from when my dad dove, but I'm almost 100% sure the guys that dove those regs before you never had a bc. Maybe now is the time to dump the bc like you were thinking about earlier.

[acelockco]

Oh yea' you know it!

I was thinking about the old horse collar, but I don't think they used them. Instead, I think they practiced pin point buoyancy skills.

[hbh2oguard]

Here is proof that no bcd existed back then

1971: Scubapro introduces the Stabilization Jacket, now in England commonly called stab jacket, and elsewhere Buoyancy Control (or Compensation) Device (BC or BCD).

This is off a timeline of Scuba history on wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_diving_technology

[acelockco]

Really nice link!

It is just fun to look at that timeline and see what things you remember. And what things you did not even know or think about before.

Thanks!

[amtrosie]

Here is proof that no bcd existed back then

1971: Scubapro introduces the Stabilization Jacket, now in England commonly called stab jacket, and elsewhere Buoyancy Control (or Compensation) Device (BC or BCD).

This is off a timeline of Scuba history on wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_diving_technology




Wikipedia is not a reliable reference. Anyone can change the content. That being said, I have no first hand knowledge of when the BC first hit the market.

[hbh2oguard]

amtrosie trust me I know that as a full time student, but I just found the timeline and thought it was kind of cool, and atleast most of the info is correct.

http://scuba.about.com/od/history/a/scubahistory.htm

http://www.divinghistory.com/timeline.htm

The second link again has the bcd invented 1971 hopefully these give me enough proof now:)

[BamaCaveDiver]

Keep in mind that date represents the first commercial BC produced. Prior to that divers saw a need for some type of device to assist in controlling their bouancy, and many adopted the use of the old Mae West horse collar inflation devices almost 30 years before that first SP stab jacket hit the market. Cave divers experiemented as well during the 50's and 60's, using bleach bottles, Jerry cans (military type gas cans) and anything else that would reliably trap air and keep them out of the silt.

[hbh2oguard]

very true bama, I wasn't around back then but I'm guessing that wasn't too wide spread.

[hbh2oguard]

So has anyone tried the newer version of aqualung's mistral? I've seen them pretty cheap now and I'm tempted to get one but I've read quite a few negative reviews.

[acelockco]

Yes, I have seen them going fairly cheap as well. I even pondered the idea, but I don't think it would be a wise move. They only made the thing for about a year or so, I bet in 5 years or so you will not be able to find a rebuild kit for it. While it sounds like a good idea it never went over, and the reviews do not seem that good.

I guess if you really want double hoses, it is time to think about a rebreather. In my opinion, that is the way diving is going. I suspect within 10 years rebreathers are going to be just as popular if not more so than standard cylinders. I know I see them much more often now than I did just a few years back.

[hbh2oguard]

That's kind of what I thought but the 1st is just a common reg which will be easy to find parts. I seen old double hose regs for simular prices that are rebuit and ready to dive. If they can find parts for them I would hope parts could be found for the newer ones. Plus the reg is $300 a LOT cheaper than a rebreather:)

[acelockco]

Wow, where did you see it for $300, I have seen it on sale for $595. For three SCUBA Bucks, even if you only get a 3 years out of the thing, that is fair.

[hbh2oguard]

well it was on a website for an east coast suba shop in PA but I emailed them and they no longer had any. It was $299 so I was going to give it a shot for that.

[acelockco]

Yea, for that price you can't go wrong really. You could use it for a few months and sell it for $400 or more online. I guess someone beat you to it, I would have picked up one of them as well for that price....even if just to have a conversation starter on the dive boat.

[divertim]

I now use a DW Mistral (1959) as my #1 regulator. If ya'll are interrested in vintage double hoses try looking at www.vintagedoublehose.com. Bryan completely rebuilt mine so it is like stepping back in the past....sort of like driving a '59 vette. I have a USD Calypso and a Conshelf XIV, but I really like my Mistral. They are also becoming collectable....vintage....same year I was born....:rolleyes:never mind.:D Tim

[Sarah]

Like the below MISTRAL regulator for sale on E-bay (http://cgi.ebay.com/Aqua-Lung-original-Double-Hose-mistral-Regulator_W0QQitemZ300272653238QQihZ020QQcategoryZ 74003QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebaypho tohosting) right now at $150?

http://i14.ebayimg.com/01/i/001/19/48/6228_1.JPG

[divertim]

That's exactly what I have. I bought mine for $250 completely redone. Cousteau used the French version of the Mistral and it was his favorite reg to use. These regs are VERY different from today's single hose regs. Techniques such as buddy breathing and clearing a flooded hose need to be learned. Tanks should be LP like 2250 psi. I have a set of 1943 38 cu ft tanks being redone and I am putting together a set of 72's for next season now. Actually, reading BASIC SCUBA by Fred Roberts is good advice prior to use. That book was printed in 1960....like stepping back in time.:) "Old School" comes to mind. Tim

[Captain Fathom]

Let me just explain a few things and then I will leave you fine folks to your own mischief, this being from someone who learned on a double hose and still dives a double hose regulator.

First, this thing about rolling to the right and all of that, hum bug, starting in the mid 50s most all makers of double hose regulators had the smart idea of installing one way valves into the mouthpiece which essentially and forever removed the need to roll to clear the regulator. All you need do now is lift the mouthpiece higher than the diaphram. Second, many parts are available now for the US Divers and certain Voit models, more even than when they were in production and in most cases the parts are superior. Third, there is a modification that replaces the original nozzle assembly with one that has three LP and three HP ports. Fourth, any sort of diving that can be done with a single hose can be done with a twin hose and in some cases better. Fifth, while there are many brands of cool twin hose regs to collect, most actual diving today is done with various USD and Voit models due to their combination of quality, parts uniformity and availability, simple design and ease of rebuilding and availability. Hope this info is helpful.

www.vintagedoublehose.com
www.vintagescubasupply.com

CF

[The Publisher]

I always wondered how well a double hose reg breathed....

[acelockco]

I always wondered how well a double hose reg breathed....

Well, if you are ever in my area, look me up. I will let you use my double hose and you can let me use your rebreather. I always wondered about those.

[divertim]

Your right about the flooded hose clearing, but I still wanted to learn all the "old" techniques. Must be the pilot in me? Anyway the conversion with the HP/LP ports is called The Phoenix and it is done to a DA Aquamaster. I've seen one and they are great. Look up Phoenix in the store at www.vintagedoublehose.com also check out the NAVED section. Bryan is great to deal with. Tim

[Captain Fathom]

If the exhaust hose is flooded you simply exhale. if the mouthpiece is flooded (along with the exahsut hose) then either exhale or lift the mouthpiece higher than the diaphram until it flows and then put it back in your mouth, breath and exhale.

If, by some odd crossing of the stars and flipping of the magnetic poles the intake hose were to flood, which would require a missing or efective cage valve and of course for the mouthpiece to be removed from the mouth and swished about to flood the intake hose--not easy--then you would have to do the roll. If the intake hose and the regulator housing were to be completely flooded--completely flooded--then you in a heap of hurt. You would have to milk the regulator, assuming the cage valves are defective or missing (hmmmm) then cover the mouthpiece with the thumb and plug it and then close of the iexhaust hose by kinking or pinching it shut and now tug the hose, stretch it out, this will cause a vacuum in the can and initiate air flow to dispell the water and now hold the mouthpiece higher than the diaphram until a strong flow. Actually, depending upon how and why the can and intake hose flooded, the milking technique has several variations which I am sure somebody will explain in more details, I don't feel like it at the moment. This has never happened to me ever but you should understand how to perform the skills.