Period correctness.

[captain]

If the situation call for all vintage than that is what I dive, if the situation calls for using something not vintage than I don't agonize over it. I am not so much a vintage purist but more of a two hose purist diver. We all know there will be situations that are beyond our control that to some degree dictate what we use. Example, a charter operator who requires a BC, SPG, octo etc.

[Ron]

Captain,

I think you're right in your way of thinking about it. I guess the fact that we have these discussions at all is keeping some of this stuff from going away. I didn't know anything about this before I stumbled onto to the vintage part of SB.

[Nemrod]

I love my Allen harness and highly recommend them for simple diving but for a early 70s rig most people had quit using them by then, the plastic back packs were more common. For a 70s "correct" rig I think a plastic back pack would be more period correct.

Yes, you will have issues with 7.25 inch tanks. You might have to use one that will accept a camband. Either way, diving without a BC is the best.

Nem

[luis]

If the situation call for all vintage than that is what I dive, if the situation calls for using something not vintage than I don't agonize over it. I am not so much a vintage purist but more of a two hose purist diver. We all know there will be situations that are beyond our control that to some degree dictate what we use. Example, a charter operator who requires a BC, SPG, octo etc.

That is basically the same way I feel about it.


I also enjoy experimenting with all kinds of stuff. Kind of the same as I did back in the 70’s when I worked in the dive shop. I had a chance to put together some double hose regulators back then, from old parts we had in boxes out back of the shop. I wish those boxes of old parts (old even back then) were still around.

[Nemrod]

I like Simmonbeans concept of taking a catalog or similar vintage document and trying to recreate a specific rig or outfit as closely as possible---when--I am trying to be full vintage. I have several outfits that I have set up this way that are "Full Allan Approved Vintage Compliant." I think that is a fun and accurate and logical way to go about it. But, as we all know and as Captain points out, obviously there are times we must be a bit more eclectic and include safety equipment that maybe required for the dive. Other times vintage is not even on my mind. When I dive my more modern equipment, it is just that, I am not thinking vintage, it is not even on my radar screen, I simply choose a double hose regulator from my arsenal. Other than that there is no attempt or intention of being vintage.

Nem

[capn_tucker]

I like the catalog approach too. I have one complete rig from the 1963 Voit catalog, and am nearly finished with 1958 and 1970 Voit setups.
Then there is my Heinz 57 rig which uses gear from all three decades..

[JES]

... I have several outfits that I have set up this way that are "Full Allan Approved Vintage Compliant." ...

Have you received actual written confirmation from Allan that you are indeed "Full Allan Approved Vintage Compliant"? Without this written confirmation, I don't think you can legally claim this compliance...


I still say to each his own. All have valid points and I appreciate what each brings to the table. We just need to remember that just because some choose to dive only "Approved Vintage Period Compliant" gear doesn't make them any more or less correct then those who choose to dive "Eclectic".

When certain dives require "Approved Vintage Period Compliant" gear (i.e., Sea Hunt 50th and SD VI in the Bahamas) then those are the rules we must follow. It's like wanting to take part in a Civil War Reenactment. You could not reasonably expect to be a part of the reenactment without the proper equipment. Outside of dives that require a particular setup, I still contend it's OK to dive with what makes you happy.

[Nemrod]

Well, I don't know if I got it in writing exactly but he did tel me at Sea Hunt 50th thta my outfit was "compliant" so there .

One of my rigs is ME in 1968 and trust me, it is a Heinz 57 rig because as a kid all I had was leftovers and this and that. Guys had a mix of equipment then, why not now as long as we are not involved in a specific dive where a particular type of vintage gear is required to be authentic as possible, otherwise, of course, mix and match as required.

That said, I do like researching the catalogs and ads and old magazines and books and dreaming on ebay that I could someday recreate a particular rig .