How do I use this Vintage Aquala Drysuit?

[divepa]

Hello,

I just received a vintage aquala drysuit. I am a pretty experience drysuit diver but have never seen or used one of these. This thing looks like it was made in the 50's but was taken care of VERY well. It doesn't have a mark on it. It has the front tunnel entry. From some articles I read they it shows it being bunched up in the front. Does this thing actually keep you 100 percent dry? the guy I bought it from said that it did. How do I bunch it up in the front? I don't want to damage the suit, but would like to use it this weekend without getting wet. I tried Aquala's number but their number has been disconnected. Please help!!

Mike

 

[mnj1233]

Hello,

I just received a vintage aquala drysuit. I am a pretty experience drysuit diver but have never seen or used one of these. This thing looks like it was made in the 50's but was taken care of VERY well. It doesn't have a mark on it. It has the front tunnel entry. From some articles I read they it shows it being bunched up in the front. Does this thing actually keep you 100 percent dry? the guy I bought it from said that it did. How do I bunch it up in the front? I don't want to damage the suit, but would like to use it this weekend without getting wet. I tried Aquala's number but their number has been disconnected. Please help!!

Mike

Does it look like this? Maybe you could write them!
http://www.calclassic.org/PtLobo2001.html

 

[SwimJim]

Post your question on this forum ( http://vintagescuba.proboards2.com/ ) I'm sure these guys can help you out.

Jim

 

[captain]

There is a special clamp that is used to clamp the suit once it has been twisted.

 

[mnj1233]

Clamp like this one????

 

[David Wilson]

You have already been given a lot of good information and advice. I echo the recommendation that you repost your question on the Vintage Scuba forum, where you are likely to receive a more detailed response.

The suit you have may be the "historical suit" which Aquala, a company originally based in Los Angeles, hence the name Aqua LA, but now relocated to Shreveport, Louisiana, still makes and sells, currently priced at $700. It is a front entry suit and the method of closure is illustrated in the picture of the suit on the Aquala website:

http://www.aquala.com/

Just click on the image captioned "Historical - designed for the historical diving enthusiast" for further details.

Hope this helps.

 

[divepa]

thank you for the info. I appreciate it!

 

[divepa]

thanks. I just sent them email and am waiting for a reply. My suit is black with a front tunnel entry on it. the suit also says "aquala" on it. any clues?

 

[David Wilson]

It sounds like Aquala's "Light Commercial" suit, which also features on the company's website. It's available new as a front tunnel entry suit in black or grey at the price of $750. I notice that the Aquala logo is on the right sleeve in the photo. See for yourself at:

http://www.aquala.com/aquala.html

Does the picture match the suit you own? The main details distinguishing Aquala's "Light Commercial" suit from its "Historical" model are the choice of colours and the presence of knee pads.

 

[divepa]

I'm going to list this on Ebay I think. do you have any idea what this might be worth?

MIke