Vintage Scuba: Problems Equalizing Old Masks - S04E15

Every modern mask today has a low volume, easy to hold nose pocket for quick ear equalization. Alec shows how early masks evolved and tried many ways to equalize before the todays nose pocket became the standard.
** In this episode of Vintage Scuba **
a 1949 or 1950 "Charlie Sturgill" hand-made mask from a rubber fire hose with no easy way to equalize or clear
one of 3 Sturgill masks still in existence out of about 40, $6.00 for round, $8.00 for oval
Swimaster oval mask with a hard rubber skirt against the face
1960 Swimaster "Wide View", big purge valve, rubber body and foam neoprene sealing sealing skirt against the face
1961 "Aqua-Lung" with wrap around glass, dual purge valves, two nose pockets, needed two hands to squeeze
1963 "Max-Vue" Nemrod by Seamless with wire nose pinchers, purge valve added with outside wire clips to squeeze your nose
Viewers have asked about the "stuff" behind Alec, so he picked one item and talks about his collection of "farm lightning arrestors".
SCUBA TECH TIPS playlists
▶︎ Series 7: • Scuba Tech Tips - Seri...
▶︎ Series 6: • Scuba Tech Tips - Seri...
▶︎ Series 5: • Scuba Tech Tips - Seri...
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▶︎ Series 1, 2 & 3: • Scuba Tech Tips - Seri...
VINTAGE SCUBA playlists
▶︎ Series 4: • Vintage Scuba - Series 4
▶︎ Series 3: • Vintage Scuba - Series 3
▶︎ Series 2: • Vintage Scuba - Series 2
▶︎ Series 1: • Vintage Scuba - Series 1
SEA HUNT REMEMBERED playlists
▶︎ Series 2: • Sea Hunt Remembered - ...
▶︎ Series 1: • Sea Hunt Remembered - ...
▶︎ SEA HUNT COLLECTOR website: seahuntcollecto...

[@crappymeal]

Cheers, very interesting

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Glad you think so! A

[@williamkelly5689]

i love listening to older folks, gold

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Older folks! Kevin's not that old....

[@PROSTO4Tabal]

Is Kevin shown on one of your video ?

[@OverlandTT]

A beautiful collection 😊

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Thanks Peter. Alec

[@Smoothjaswi]

Very cool. I just got open water certified and it had me wondering how they equalized in the old days before soft nose pieces. As I was a very avid Flipper watcher growing up.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Flipper was a fun show, I remember watching it growing up. Equalizing without soft nose pieces was quite the challenge back in the stone age of diving. A

[@Ex7878]

Really nice Cressi mask you have there Alec 😀 Lightning arrestor ? You learn something new every time, see you soon 👌

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

I have found the Cressi Evo Big Eye almost perfect for me. And it's easy to add reader lenses to it because the lens is so big. Take care Marcus. Alec

[@BananaBudget]

I just bought my first mask...the Tusa m3001. I’ll try it next month when I go diving, can’t wait. Hi Alec, you’re awesome!

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

TUSA makes great software (masks, fins, snorkels). Good luck. Alec

[@alaind831]

trouble trouble... always a story. love it.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Thanks again Alain. Alec

[@ultimatevintagescuba925]

great video

[@raymondburelle3425]

Love the vintage stuff Alec how about a tech tip on the different dry glove systems I love the sitech qcp quick lock cuffs but was wondering about the others You've also inspired me to watch sea hunt it's great and I'm hooked take care would love to go on a dive with you some say

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Sea Hunt is like that. When a diver watches one for the first time he's usually a bit baffled as to how it was so popular but after a couple of them you get hooked as you say. You can imagine what it was like for a 10 year-old in the 1950's! Good idea on dry gloves. I use and like the Sitechs too. Alec

[@bryanrhoads8058]

Great video!

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Thanks Kim. Would you say it's nuclear? Alec

[@jamesinengland1961]

Very interesting, nice to see the evolution of scuba masks...what will the mask's be like in the future?...will we go further than silicone seals...

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

I'm sure that one day, not in my lifetime, divers will put a globe over their head and go diving. They won't need tanks as they'll get air from the water. It would be nice to stick around to see that but I've had a heck of a lot of fun so won't complain. Thanks for watching. Alec

[@Cyjodev]

Hey Alec .. Thanks for that great clip again ! Was thinking about you on March break when we went to Roatan, Belize, Costa Maya and Cozumel, ... I dove in Roatan and Cozumel ... Roatan was interesting but not well organized (no buddy system and all thrown in the water) but Cozumel was something to see (so clear) ... I was wondering what what the mask at the end that you said you are using by now ? I now use a Tusa M1001 and it is nice but still having a leak if i dont use oring grease to help ...

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Probably your face Joel - kidding!! Actually the size and shape of your head and face can make finding a good mask hard. My head is extra big and kinda' neanderthal so I have had the same problem. I wore the very popular Look style mask (Genesis SL is the same) for years but would often come up with a red mark on my forehead and a headache. The Cressi Big Eyes Evo is working well for me right now - great silicon, nice slope for good vision, small inside but well off my forehead and it fits my big fat head. Everybody is different so there's no "best" mask but it's worth a try. Good luck. Alec

[@BananaBudget]

Joel Perron I was going to get the Tusa m1001 as well because of the raving reviews but there were a lot of people complaining of leaks so I opted for the Tusa m3001. Haven’t tried it yet but it seems to have good reviews too. Happy diving!

[@Cyjodev]

Viewcards ah thanks for that info .. yeah im a bit like Alec .. I have a big head ... some creases lol so even worst if i smile and such .. had the tusa freedom and was a bit the same leak wise as the 1001 .. will have to check the one you were saying

[@kadrik0]

What is your brand and model on your current mask? Question on that scuba bag packing video. I know a real dive bag would be better in general but I got a split duffle since my new scuba gear is super compact and I need to pack a week's worth of clothes in the 2nd half of the bag. (Won't be on a liveaboard) If you are lugging wet gear like your wetsuit do you ever mess with an official dry bag or do you just use garbage bags? I won't need to worry about the bcd. I'm getting that hydros pro which is instant dry so I only have to really deal with a swimsuit, wetsuit, and boots. I do plan on sandwiching my dive gear with a towel. Thanks for the OCi recommendation. Loving it but haven't dived with it yet.

[@benheckendorn2696]

Hi Alec, I know you must be proud like nothing, to got one of three masks. And the shape looks still great, just as if it was bought yesteterday. I know you may can't collect everything, but if I had the chance I would love to get a Regulator and a mask from the year I was born. I still got a mask, fins and a shorty from 2003, when I was 22. And the neoprene looks still good, yeah it was 3mm now it would be like 2mm or so, but I still could dive with them if they weren‘t too small. Just because I took care of it, as you know take care is very important.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Well said Ben. Taking good care of your scuba gear is almost as important as taking care of the wife. A

[@benheckendorn2696]

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter so true they are as important as a true and honest friend.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Hi Ben. I apologize for the long delay but I may be able to help. What mask and/or regulator would you like to have? Do you know the make & model? Alec

[@benheckendorn2696]

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter I really don't have any specific brand in my mind, nemrod would be nice but. It was just a idea to put them on a wall. ☺️

[@kimsangwook9977]

Hi Alec. Is there an oval mask you would recommend WITHOUT the nose equalising compartment?

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

You need to equalize to enjoy diving. New masks are amazing in fit and low volume. A

[@PROSTO4Tabal]

Great video. mask is most important equipment. what happend to vintage scuba btw ?

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Still released. Look back one week for 'Buying Gear in 1955'. More to come. A

[@rimotivri]

diving things rule. Cool.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

100% LIKE! Thanks for watching. Alec

[@charleneventura8103]

I like that mask

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

It is special, thanks.

[@charleneventura8103]

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter how much dive mask sir?

[@mackenziewoods8201]

A perfect face like mine lmaf

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

So true, right! A.

[@MrScroad]

Hey if you see this comment can you msg me. I have a pc of aqualung very old stage 1 regulator. Made my Cousteau. Would like to send you some pics. And see what you think. It’s like new.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

You can reach me at Eric. Alec