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Discussion of diving methods and equipment available prior to the development of BCDs beyond the horse collar. This forum is dedicated to the pre-1970 diving.
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spectrum
Skin Diver
Posts: 27
Joined: Sat Oct 08, 2005 12:14 pm
Location: The Atlantic Northeast (Maine)
Contact: Website

Harness with Disk

Sat Feb 16, 2008 12:42 am

I have seen some pictures of harnesses that have a round flat disk perhaps 5 inches in diameter located near the navel. I have assumed that the disk is lead for weight and that the disk serves as a junction point for the straps.

Can anyone shed any light on the original maker(s). Does this harness style have a name and all those sort of details. I have not seen any around and thought it might be something novel to cook up.

Thanks,
Pete
Vintage stuff:
Phoenix RAM # 128
Assorted horse collars
Voit 50 Fathom (presently pending TLC)
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Danny D
Lung Diver
Posts: 54
Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 6:05 pm
Location: North East

Sat Feb 16, 2008 12:46 am

Are you referring to the harness that you can see being worn in some of the early Cousteau pictures from the 1940s?

Dan
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capn_tucker
Master Diver
Posts: 707
Joined: Mon Jan 15, 2007 9:04 am
Location: Southeast GA

Sat Feb 16, 2008 1:04 am

The system you're referring to was used by the Normalair full-face mask regulator. It looked somewhat like a Scott Hydro-Pak, but used a chest pouch for the weights instead of a weight belt. The pouch was built into the tank harness.
There is an exploded diagram of this unit in Fred Robert's "Basic Scuba". According to Fred's book, the unit was made in England and sold by Normalair of Canada. It was still being sold in 1963 when Basic Scuba 2nd edition came out..
Quick Robin, to the Voitmobile!
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