Well, let's do the checklist...

[Arkie John]

new Excal II via Joe: CHECK
new 390 Brownie Hookah: CHECK

new hyperstretch suit -- not yet -- (looking for a good deal on a farmer john)
'modern era' depth gauge -- not yet -- (prices are killin' me but not essential since I will dive less than thermocline.)
new mask -- not yet -- (still looking for one with side-view ability)

Anticipation: CHECK

Looks like I will be ready to hit the water r e a l soon! We'll just see if there's any loot left in Arkansas. Spring has sprung and summer is around the corner. So many places, so little time!


aj

 

[scubadetector]

Have you tried eBay for the mask and depth guage at a reasonable price? You might be plesantly suprized.

Sure there is treasure left. Nobody can get it all. Well almost nobody!!

 

[Arkie John]

I'm also looking for a pony tank set up, as well. Certified in 1982 and looking forward to diving in freedom.

aj

 

[scubadetector]

I am lost on the pony setup and I will tell you why. Your hose will have enough air to get you to the surface with no problem I have been told. Even if the compressor dies. I just bought a hookah also and no nothing about them except what my local dive shop told me. I also don't dive for treasure more than 20 foot. I do the areas right over the wading detectorists reach and the dropoffs. You really won't find much below that depth in inland lakes. A pony is just more to carry around IMO.

I got certified in Okinawa in 1980 and have been diving solo ever sense. I am sure once you start detecting you will agree with me. If you hit the bottom of an inland lake your going to be 2 foot in muck and it just isn't worth it. Maybe I am wrong in your area? I don't know. Here in Michigan that is what I have seen in most all the lakes I play in.

I do wear a nice BC and can inflate it in case of trouble. Although I was told with the hookah system I shouild go back to the CO2 inflation system. Your call. I don't like to take anything more down than I have to. Good luck!!

 

[Arkie John]

I too, have never used a hookah but have been certified for a coon's age. So, I didn't know I would have enough air in the hose (its a 60 foot main hose and a 20 foot off that, if I need it. I can sure do without the added bulk and the cost of a pony.

I seldom dive below the thermocline. There just is no need. I don't dive wrecks or caves or anywhere near where I can get into the least trouble. Once in a while I will see a chain or something that catches my eye below it, but not often and certainly not for extended diving.

I am surrounded by Corps of Engineers lakes built in the 50's. Most offer 10-15 foot vis and sandy bottoms--especially along the cliffs (at 24 feet) at Greer's Ferry Lake are common.

Now where can I find a co2 activated bc these days????? Alls I can find is one made for snorkelers and I'm not sure it will do the job. I once had an old horse collar bc that worked with co2 and it would be perfect for a hookah application. But if they are still made they are not found where I have been looking. So, if you can point me in the right direction, I'd like to know.

Thanks for the informative post. Look forward to hearing from you.

aj

 

[scubadetector]

Yes you will have enough air in the hose. It is low pressure but it you will have enough breaths to make it to the surface. As to the C02 powered vest. My dive shop told me they were still around so I can ask him. I haven't seen one lately except for the OLD AquaLung one I have.

 

[Lou from downunder]

Forget the vest. They are extra expense, extra water resistence and if the CO2 cartridge fails to activate then it will make it even harder to get to the surface.
Just connect the hose via a clip to your weight belt, something you would do anyway to save you dragging the hose around by your teeth. If you get into trouble, ditch the belt. With the inbuilt bouyancy of the wetsuit you will be on the surface from 30' within seconds.
In shallow waters such as these you will not get bent by a rapid accent BUT must remember to exhale on the way up for the expanding air in your lungs WILL rupture them. But this is something all scuba divers know and this action should be second nature. If not you should'nt be diving, full stop!
This technique is foolproof, having been in a position to use it on several occasions over the years.
Actually, to check the effectiveness of a wetsuit as a bouyancy device I once removed my scuba tank and weightbelt in 90' of water, exhaled all the air from my lungs and on letting go of the bottom started floating up immediatly, and it was only a 3mm suit!
Oh, and if your worried about retrieval of your weightbelt.... its on the end of the hose. Just pull it up.

Cheers Lou.

 

[Tinfoil]

n/t

 

[Arkie John]

I've been told that before and should have remembered it! The less I have to carry around the better I'll be. That's what hookah diving is all about.

The only time I have ever been in trouble was in the 80's. I had my regulator malfunction--all of a sudden. My buddy was 12 feet laterally from me and going away. I ditched the twin 80's and weight belt and powered my way up (no wetsuit). I remembered to exhale but I was a bit rattled and came up faster than my bubbles. The lungs were fine but I ruptured both ear drums. At 10 feet, it seemed I was just spinning, so I hit the co2 cartridge and up I popped.

My buddy (eventually retrieved the tanks and the weight belt. I could not hear correctly for 4 or 5 weeks. Finally, one day I woke up with normal hearing. I never used someone else's regulator again. Come to find out, it had sand in it!

It made me appreciate the good days. Since then, I've erred on the side of caution and practiced free ascents until I got it right.

Thanks for your input.

aj

 

[goldnugget]

I thought there was a spare air tank on the bottom to use if you got that far down.

Also in Jump school I heard the Jump Master say to the recruits that they will be flying at 15 000 feet and they will be a ground crew to pick them up and take back to the base. and if the 1st parachute does not work ,pull the emergency cord for the 2nd shoot.. Guess what the 2nd parachute didnt open, I bet there wasn t a truck to take them back to the base also. goldnugget' charlotte,nc

 

[scubadetector]

Thanks for the tip on the vest. I will go without one. I wasn't even thinking of putting weights on the belt for the hookah. I always hipmount my Fisher so I just need to add a clip for the hookah.

This site is great for its information and resources. Thanks for the advice and insite.