Bill,antique diver wrote: ↑Tue Jul 31, 2018 10:59 pmI knew an older fellow that had personally converted surplus aviation Oxygen regulators for underwater use in the early 1950's, and actually took them cave diving . He and his small group of adventurous cave diving pioneers were almost certainly the first to use diving "Lungs" to begin underwater exploration in Phantom Lake Cave. When we began our exploration and biological collections project for the Bureau of Reclamation there in 1995 he got wind of it and wrote to me telling of his early experiences there. We met up at Phantom a few months later, and he showed us some of his interesting collection of old diving gear they used there in the 50's, much of it homemade, and some was pretty well done. John entertained us for hours with his interesting tales of early cave diving.
Here's a exact quote from John Coffee’s letter to me in 1996:
Myself,…John Mason and… Al Hull did preliminary non photographic dives into the system beginning in 1952 with dive gear so primitive that the two hose Aqualung regulator is Star Trek quality. We used 1800 psi aluminum Air Force high altitude demand regulators converted to two hose underwater breathing gear and ran them at 3000 psi, often with disastrous results such as the first stage suddenly disappearing with a loud “bang”.
It's really a wonder that they survived given the complexity of the cave, the simplicity of their gear and the general lack of knowledge of cave diving available at the time!
- Hey Bill, I'm noticing the use of tubing to connect these regulators to the tank. The early Cousteau multiple tank systems used tubing for connections, as well. I'm wondering what's involved in working with metal tubing for high pressure connections. How do you bend it an how do you know it can stand the pressure?
Good to hear. I've worked with that and silver solder before when installing a central AC system. No problem with the right torch. I have some 3000 psi rated brass compression fittings that will also work with that.
Good Luck!antique diver wrote: ↑Sun Aug 05, 2018 5:28 pmHi Phillip, I appreciate your interest
I am really having fun with this project and hope to add some new information soon. Maybe tomorrow.
The reg is not complete yet by any means, but I need to get in the water for a preliminary test dive before deciding which way to go on some further modifications, and to see if this whole conglomeration is worth continuing to work on.
Test dive in a pool will be done with 15. Components.JPG
1. Single 38, made in 1951. Equipped with Scott CGA-346 air valve.
2. Original 1950's Aqualung harness, never repaired or modified. (probably the safest part of this setup)
3. Unfinished Bendix Oxygen Diluter, 1942 model I think. Modified by removing some sophisticated automatic gas mixing stuff and adding parts made in my garage.
a. Oxygen/Air dilution mechanisms removed
b. New low pressure seat from Mares MR12
c. New Homemade demand diaphragm
d. New homemade adapter for exhaling valve - conventional duckbill for now
e. New homemade connecting adapter for hose loop
f. Uknown date vintage hose loop that I think is Nemrod, not sure
g. Assorted Stainless Steel tubing and compression fittings, all 6000 psi. Temporary, and to be replaced with copper later.
h. Several 12 psi rated rubber bands. Two holding diaphragm in place, one holding duckbill on, and one holding the main cover
What could possibly go wrong here?
16. Assembled test.JPG
WISH ME LUCK!
Return to “Classic Vintage Diving”
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 54 guests