Diving was little different then, growing up behind the Iron Curtain with no access to "stuff"
we had to improvise and do with what we could make ourselves. There is a exhibit of some of that
"ancient" dive gear in a museum in Czech Republic to which I contributed some photographic panels.
These are not in any order, hopefully it gives you some idea what you looking at.
Enjoy and wonder - how do we survived this ?
![:eek: :eek:](./../images/smilies/eek.gif)
![Image](http://jankocian.smugmug.com/Other/Trinec-2010-History-dive-show/Home-made-gear-S/1061607647_ux3Uz-XL.jpg)
One of our club member was a fireman/recovery diver, so we had chance to try out what it feels
like to be a hardhat diver. I did not like it a bit....
![Image](http://jankocian.smugmug.com/Other/Trinec-2010-History-dive-show/hard-hat-diver-S/1061607610_rAe2U-XL.jpg)
Being landlocked country, we did try to keep up with the "Jonesses" (Sealab and Conshelf
![:rofl: :rofl:](./../images/smilies/rofl.gif)
and built an underwater habitat. In a flooded quarry, the experiment culminated in two divers
spending 100 hours in depth of 75 feet. It was my brother and his buddy, I was just a young
flunkie delivering food to them in watertight container
![:) :)](./../images/smilies/smile.gif)
![Image](http://jankocian.smugmug.com/Other/Trinec-2010-History-dive-show/NW-Permon-1-S/1061607966_xtyyw-XL.jpg)
We also dabbed in commercial work, since there were no companies which did that kind of
jobs, cutting off steel coffer dams after work on bridge pylons were fixed or build was our
most common work. Dirty and cold water in a river current was the norm..
![Image](http://jankocian.smugmug.com/Other/Trinec-2010-History-dive-show/NW-Commercial-dive-S/1061607770_xQzML-XL.jpg)
With limited diving opportunities, we were drawn to cave diving, since that water was usually clear.
We did not find underwater stalactites, they all were above the water passages, we were tasked to
see if we can find new dry caves so they can be open to public.
![Image](http://jankocian.smugmug.com/Other/Trinec-2010-History-dive-show/NW-Permon-Cave-diveS/1061607934_rHanZ-XL.jpg)
Once I managed to escape the "Worker's Paradise", the options for diving in world's oceans finally
made it possible to realize my life dreams
![Image](http://jankocian.smugmug.com/Other/Trinec-2010-History-dive-show/Trinec-NW-Rose-2-S/1061608488_qsvau-XL.jpg)
![Image](http://jankocian.smugmug.com/Other/Trinec-2010-History-dive-show/Trinec-NW-rose-1S/1061608184_xfuYM-XL.jpg)
From a sailboat to a research vessels with hi-pressure compressor aboard - WOW !!
![:angelblue: :angelblue:](./../images/smilies/angelblue.gif)
![Image](http://jankocian.smugmug.com/Other/Trinec-2010-History-dive-show/NW-Bikini-Saratoga-S/1061607686_Re4zV-XL.jpg)
![Image](http://jankocian.smugmug.com/Other/Trinec-2010-History-dive-show/NW-Enewetak-cleanupS/1061607802_7tvhr-XL.jpg)
and now enjoying the little critters of Whidbey Island, but that is another story
![:) :)](./../images/smilies/smile.gif)