Paula wearing Hard Hat Gear

Review By David Miles

 

The World Famous Hard Hat & Recompression Chamber Course in York is a worthwhile experience for any diver. On the day we were due to arrive we had 13 people. They do like to have around 18 people as any less than this and they lose money.

 

The first part of the morning consisted of a lecture on the history of Hard Hat diving, which was informative but with enough witty stories to stop it from becoming too serious. This was followed by a demonstration of how to put on the diving suits, believe me you have to stay awake for this point, as it is a little bit complicated and everyone has to help everyone else on and off with the suits.

 

The second part of the morning was everyone having a try of the hart hat, except those over 6ft 4 inches, who are too tall for the suits (e.g. Paul Daley). However, these people don’t lose out they get to try the commercial helmets instead.

 

The experience of the hard hat was great. Firstly you have to get strapped in to the suit, which is an experience; all I will say is watch your nose. Then you are seated at the edge of the pool for the weight and boot attachment. These are like your normal weights only on a mega scale and the boots are like something Herman Munster would wear (for those of you that can remember that far back). Once you have all these on you attempt to stand up!! I say again attempt to stand up, as you are carrying 10 stone in weight and equipment. However once you are waist deep in the water you can feel the weight being lifted from the shoulders and by the time you are at the bottom you are light enough to do a little jig and some of us did. There are a couple of tasks for you to do at the bottom, but I wouldn’t spoil the surprise for anyone who has not been.

 

Lunch was a home cooked three-course meal consisting of a pasty, mince and veg and sponge pudding with custard (let them know in advance if you don’t like custard, otherwise they will all come with the damned stuff).

 

In the afternoon it was time for the decompression chamber 50 m dive. This was preceded by an entertaining and highly amusing presentation on the dangers of diving and the use of the decompression chamber. The decompression chamber is always a laugh and this was no exception. Almost everyone’s voice change, only exception was once again Paul Daly (does anything every effect him, not the cold, not the pressure?). If you every get the chance to do a 50m dive in a decompression chamber, then jump at the chance, you will not be disappointed.

 

Overall, a very worthwhile value for money day that everyone should try at least once in their lifetime.