Check this vintage ad out...

[Bigbella]

Has anyone ever used one? Interesting how they marketed this purely mechanical instrument... “functions automatically like an electronic brain”

My business business partner had one of those, branded through Barakuda -- the "DCP" for DeComPressimetro -- from the early 1960s. when he first hit the water; though I think that it could have even dated from the late 1950s. It was interesting to see remnants of a bygone time, when we weren't all slaves to batteries and electronics.

We took it out with us a few times, back in the 1990s; and the thing actually worked and mimicked the profile of the old Suunto Solution reasonably well, in terms of the onset of a decompression dive and a requisite stop. The Solution offered about 17 minutes at 30 meters or so, on a first dive; and the SOS, a bit over 20, before entering the red zone, if memory serves . . .

 

[happy-diver]

Anyone need a service

 

[Luis H]

We used the SOS Automatic Decompression Meter in the 70's. I only used it for a short time. They are big and clumsy. I didn't really trust it, but I do think it is an interesting and kind of cool idea.

I have heard some divers using them much later than that.

 

[Pressurehead]

Anyone need a service

View attachment 637519

Ha ha, and I thought I had a problem hording old gear.

 

[Open Ocean Diver]

Anyone need a service

View attachment 637519

I want one.

 

[justadyver]

still have one. bought it through a Scubapro dealer in the middle 70's. used it for a few trips to Cayman Brac. I remember some calling it the BENDOMATIC.

 

[Bigbella]

The original Italian model -- the "DCP" for DeComPressimetro -- was marketed by a number of companies, through the 1960s-70s . . .

 

[happy-diver]

You know what I've seen with those things is a collection of black pieces of stuff rattling around inside the gauge
which is a just a surround fashioned from a cable tie so you just unscrew the face plate with a pin spanner and..



What does hoarding mean? - Google Search

 

[Open Ocean Diver]

View attachment 637513 View attachment 637514




My business business partner had one of those, branded through Barakuda -- the "DCP" for DeComPressimetro -- from the early 1960s. when he first hit the water; though I think that it could have even dated from the late 1950s. It was interesting to see remnants of a bygone time, when we weren't all slaves to batteries and electronics.

We took it out with us a few times, back in the 1990s; and the thing actually worked and mimicked the profile of the old Suunto Solution reasonably well, in terms of the onset of a decompression dive and a requisite stop. The Solution offered about 17 minutes at 30 meters or so, on a first dive; and the SOS, a bit over 20, before entering the red zone, if memory serves . . .

I’ve always appreciated mechanical solutions to problems...

Did you have to wear a separate timing device?

 

[justadyver]

always had a depth gauge and watch with me and reviewed tables before the dive.