HARD HATS, RECOMPRESSION CHAMBERS & MODERN COMMERCIAL HELMETS

Talk about OLD-SCHOOL! As a kid I’d always been raised watching underwater heroes in great metal helmets exploring the depths.  When I heard that there would be a chance to try it out myself, I jumped at it.

When we all met up at the start of the day, I wondered how on earth it was all going to happen.  There were young girls there and especially when they announced that it took 12 stone of lead to keep you to bottom, I thought we were in for a bundle of trouble!  But the lads showing us how helped everyone in and out, and once you get under the water, the bouyancy of the suit balances out all of that weight and it doesnn’t feel anywhere near as heavy.

With all the air in the arms, I ended up walking around looking like Frankenstein’ monster, which is exactly who those booted were made for!I can’t imagine how anyone got any work done in these old suits, particularly in the depths of the sea!  But for a quick try in the pool, it was a really great laugh.  I was also amazed how hardy this ancient equipment was – we were using originals!

The compression chamber was just as much fun.  It was interesting to see how people reacted to the pressure – giggling with narcosis , squeaky voiced and pink faced.Some of the divers there had been before and this time they were trying out the modern commercial helmets -  I couldn’t believe how much more freedom they had to move about compared to the cold brass hats – I can’t wait to go back and try on of those!