So who's a fan of Hooka?

[SeattleALE]

I do a lot of shallow lake diving, 5-10 feet and I use SCUBA with an aluminium 80. At that depth I can spend between 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the level of exertion. $5 a fill adds up over time!

So how about a hooka? Do people like these? I usually dive in areas with little underwater obstacles, like tree's or docks, just a lit of weeds.

What do you think?

Thanks, SeattleALE

 

[Black Davy]

I am going to be a hookah man. My system is almost complete. I do not want to bother going for a fill, just a battery charge and off I will go. Most of the areas I paln on diving will be in the 10' max range.

 

[abacopirate]

We use hooka sometimes. I like it when we are searching and there is a current and your not paying a lot of attention. We use 300 feet of hose and it lets you know when you get to the end.We have a dive compressor on board and fill our tanks. So lots of air is not a problem. Also use the hooka to fill lift bags. We also have a low pressure high volume compressor on board. But the hooka is nice as we can put it in the small boat, go off and have a air supply.

 

[tomtowns]

Hookah is great in my opinion, I've been diveing for 35 yrs. I started in the Navy & when I got out I started gold dredging...For some applications it's not practical but for many it is the way to go...This winter I'm planning on putting a lightweight system together with a Honda Lightweight 2hp, engine & T80 & small dredge pontoons...I like being very negativly bouyant when on the bottom...it makes it a lot easier to work & not haveing a tank on your back also "frees" you up a bit...when working on the bottom & trying to stay in one spot or limited search area in current a tank also enlarges your profile acting kind of like a "sail" it will catch current & fatigue you sooner

 

[tonyweston]

hi tom,
I have seen divers with tanks detect but how practical is snorkel detecting ? what kit is needed ? are weight belts needed to assist digging finds ? etc etc
i have asked this question before but to no avail, i hope with your 35 years expierience you can give me some no nonsence answers
taaaaaaaaaa tony weston U.K.

 

[SeattleALE]

I've never done it but I've been diving a long time and I would think snorkel detecting would be very frustrating and not very producting.

1) Fatigue will set in very quickly

2) You'll finad that your bottom time for digging a target will be very little and insufficient to find most targets

3) The greatest pressure change is between 0 and 10 feet and contantly going up and down will give you one hell of a headack!

I wouldn't recommend it.....

HH

 

[tonyweston]

thanks for your input matey, i didnt think about the pressure problems i just wanted to have a go at virgin ground around a pontoon that is always full of bathers ( it has to full of looooooot ) regards tony

 

[tomtowns]

Hi Tony, I'm afraid your terminology has me confused...by snorkel do you mean hookah??? A snorkel is a short rubber/plastic tube that is bent & you breath through it while floating on top...A hookah system is a motor & compressor floating on top that feeds a small reciever tank (either strong plastic or lightweight metal)that feeds through a air hose the regulator (USUALLY low pressure) that you have stuck in your mouth....I guess a person could use a snorkel if they had to but a hookah system would be best...

 

[tomtowns]

Hey Tony if you're a certified diver...RENT some tanks & give it a go...If you're not I would suggest getting some dive training so you don't drown or hurt yourself & then look into setting up a hookah system...It's the best way to go as far as I'm concerned...Tom

 

[tonyweston]

thanks for that info tom , i may ask at our local scuba club to see how long a basic ticket would take and cost

 

[pjmied]

I have been hookah treasure diver for a few years. I am scuba certified. I have 2 fisher underwater machines and hookah gear for 2 people. I would like to help someone learn to use a hookah if they know of a likely good spot. Floating swimming docks are ideal for this. I use a battery operated system 2 hrs/2people at aprox 10 ft. Then you change batteries. My system is a Keene engineering unit with 4 modules (4 small compressors.

 

[detector3]

I use to dive with a Hookah system and did this for two years. then I got my certification, My Hookah system was hooked up to a weight integrated BC for safety. I learned allot about the equipment and safety going to the classes. HH Rich