The first single hose regulator, Ted Eldred's Porpoise began it's life as a rebreather. In this picture Ivor Howitt and Ted Eldred wear Porpoise rebreathers. These rebreathers were designed so the diver's oxygen would be restricted if he went too deep. However, Ted felt it was still too dangerous so he shifted his attention to an air system.
Ivor Howitt Picture
This picture was taken in about 1951 in Melbourne. It is the prototype of the Porpoise single hose scuba, which would become the first commercially successful modern scuba. The picture was taken at a pool complex called the Melbourne City Baths. Notice the diver is wearing a sweater. Wet suits had not yet come to Australia.
This is the first open water test dive of the Porpoise prototype. The first stage was an oxygen welding reduction valve. The picture was taken at Rickett's Point, Beaumaris, 10 mile south of Melbourne. Steve