LB>The same friend had one of those too.  I think they
LB>were left over from when some relative of his had
LB>been diving.  I know he didn't purchase it for himself
LB>since he started diving about the same time I did.
I found this old "horse collar" BC at the Dania Flea
Market a few years back, and used it quite a bit till
it finally fell apart.  Best $5 investment I ever made
in a piece of diving equipment!  :)
LB>The new "horse collar" diving vests, used by the
LB>snorkle boats in the Keys are not nearly as sturdy
LB>appearing as the old ones and may not use the same
LB>kind of CO2 anyway.
The old BC fabric felt like a "coated canvas", whereas
the newer snorkeling BC's have a very synthetic appearance
to them -- in addition the seams are now heat-sealed.
LB>I knew you had been with DU, but didn't know you'd
LB>managed the store.
Yup.  I was the store manager for about a year, before
I realized that I'd never get rich working in the dive
industry.  So I went back to having a "real" job, and
saved my diving for my free time.
LB>You were probably there when my wife got her
LB>certification from them and/or when I purchased
LB>the last Compact 80 in the store.  That tank
LB>later had a small green growth problem which I
LB>always suspected had come from begin around long
LB>enough to be the last.
No surprise.  Dave used to leave things piled up in the
hallways until he got tired of tripping over the merchandise
and suddenly reduced the price for a quick sale.
LB>Next time I'm over that way, I'll ask about the floats.
LB>There are times when I'd like to have one.  We have problems
LB>finding unmarked wrecks since all I've got for many of them
LB>is someone else's Loran numbers.
You might also try a place like E&B near where we live, or
maybe West Marine on Federal Highway near 17th Street.
LB>When the fish finder locates one, it would be nice to
LB>jump the wreck and mark it while my wife keeps the boat
LB>close, then either hand set or drop the anchor more
LB>precisely.  Even a slight current can make it difficult
LB>to get situated just right.
I know that all too well!  I've spent many a weekend on
the back of the swim platforms of the various charter
boats here in the area, waiting to jump in and tie-off
on the wrecks.  Sometimes you get really lucky, and other
times you have to swim quite a bit to hit the wreck!  :)
--- Nice flotation aids!
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