DATELINE :- 11th October 2000
WHILE BREATH REMAINS...
Scuba gear found on seabed
When members of the BSAC's Romsey branch dropped onto the submarine M2 in Lyme Bay, the only old piece of metal they expected to see was the submarine itself. But even before they found that, something else had grabbed their attention.
"I noticed something yellow on the seabed," said club member Adrian Norris. He found a lump covered in barnacles and other marine life. "To my surprise it was an old 3 litre pony cylinder, complete with regulator and contents gauge. It had obviously been down there a while, as the cylinder had rusted through and burst."
The regulator, a Poseidon Cyklon 5000, looked to be in better shape. Curious, Adrian took it along to UK importer Poseidon Diving Systems, which confirmed that it was at least three years old and had probably spent most of its life on the seabed.
Mounted on a test rig, the regulator second stage emitted a "gurgle and splutter before settling to a gentle hiss, then silence once Poseidon's Brian Bickell had poked a finger into the mouthpiece and given a gentle prod".
"Next thing I knew, he was breathing from it," said Adrian. "I was absolutely stunned.
"Apparently the saving grace was that, in losing its pressure, the cylinder had allowed the regulator's high-pressure piston to close, stopping water from fully entering and damaging the first stage."
The kit is now fully operational again, and Brian Bickell - who can test callers regarding some features unique to the set - thinks he has probably traced its original owner. But contact him on 01420 544422 or email bbickell@divex.co.uk if you think he's wrong!