A salvage diver in Mobile Bay changed how I feel about old gear

I was working a job near the old shipyard last fall, and my backup light failed at 40 feet. This guy named Carl, who's been diving since the 80s, saw me fumbling with it topside. He said, 'Kid, you're trusting plastic that's newer than your boots.' He showed me his light, a big metal one from the 90s he's rebuilt three times. He said he knows every part and it's never left him dark. I used to always want the newest stuff, but now I keep my old reliable light as my primary. Has anyone else had a piece of gear they just won't retire?

4 comments

4 Comments

lee.cora23d ago

Honestly, that totally hits home. My dive knife is from the 90s and I've sharpened it so many times the blade is half the size it used to be, but it still works perfect and I'd trust it over any fancy new titanium thing any day.

scott.alex2mo ago

Carl's basically the gear version of a guy who still drives his grandpa's pickup truck. It looks ancient but it always starts, while your fancy new car is in the shop. Some things just earn their keep.

kimblack2mo ago

Yeah my old regulator is like that, my dad gave it to me when I got certified. It's older than I am lol, but I've serviced it every year and it breates smoother than some brand new ones I've tried. That thing has seen hundreds of dives and I just can't bring myself to replace it. New gear is cool but you can't beat something that's proven itself over decades.

iris_thomas852mo ago

Always thought new gear was better but your post just changed my mind. Old stuff that WORKS is priceless.