Wreckaddict
Guest
Hi all,
I am new to this forum but have been diving since '73. Did my first open water dive on SCUBA as a night dive after a day's spearfishing on the Great Barrier Reef out from Townsville in'73.
I had purchased an old Nemrod 72 steelie and second hand Nemrod Silver Snark 2 reg which I took on the trip, but at that time I had not done a course. In those days SPG's were not used and the tanks had a J valve which if left in the upright position could be used to give you a little bit more air when it got hard to breathe from your reg because of depletion of your air in the tank. You would pull down on the J valve lever to activate the "reserve". At that time you would head for the surface.
Also BC'S had not been invented and back-up regs were unheard of so diving was fairly basic compared to today's technology.
Anyway a few of us jumped in about 50 feet of water. We did have torches! I recall that my adrenaline was really up and I had an amazing dive while it lasted. However after about 20 minutes I had sucked that 72 dry but was relieved to find more air was available on activating the J valve lever! I quickly headed for the surface. Safety stops were also not heard of - just don't exceed the rate of ascent of the smallest exhaust bubble was all I knew. I was on a high though when I made it back to the boat.
I still have the old 72 which I have renovated and the Silver Snark 2 reg.
I now have done many technical courses etc and am qualified to TDI Trimix. I still dive regularly out of Cairns, Queensland, Australia where I live, but mainly from my own boat. I love diving wrecks and the many adventures and close friends that diving has brought me over the years. It is a passion with me that I believe has kept me young at heart and engenered in me a thirst to continue to learn new skills and advance my diving knowledge. I hope to continue to enjoy diving until well into old age. Some would say I have reached that already!
Anyway, cheers for now.
I am new to this forum but have been diving since '73. Did my first open water dive on SCUBA as a night dive after a day's spearfishing on the Great Barrier Reef out from Townsville in'73.
I had purchased an old Nemrod 72 steelie and second hand Nemrod Silver Snark 2 reg which I took on the trip, but at that time I had not done a course. In those days SPG's were not used and the tanks had a J valve which if left in the upright position could be used to give you a little bit more air when it got hard to breathe from your reg because of depletion of your air in the tank. You would pull down on the J valve lever to activate the "reserve". At that time you would head for the surface.
Also BC'S had not been invented and back-up regs were unheard of so diving was fairly basic compared to today's technology.
Anyway a few of us jumped in about 50 feet of water. We did have torches! I recall that my adrenaline was really up and I had an amazing dive while it lasted. However after about 20 minutes I had sucked that 72 dry but was relieved to find more air was available on activating the J valve lever! I quickly headed for the surface. Safety stops were also not heard of - just don't exceed the rate of ascent of the smallest exhaust bubble was all I knew. I was on a high though when I made it back to the boat.
I still have the old 72 which I have renovated and the Silver Snark 2 reg.
I now have done many technical courses etc and am qualified to TDI Trimix. I still dive regularly out of Cairns, Queensland, Australia where I live, but mainly from my own boat. I love diving wrecks and the many adventures and close friends that diving has brought me over the years. It is a passion with me that I believe has kept me young at heart and engenered in me a thirst to continue to learn new skills and advance my diving knowledge. I hope to continue to enjoy diving until well into old age. Some would say I have reached that already!
Anyway, cheers for now.
