My old Diving hat from 1995 finally gave out on me

Last week I was doing a bridge inspection in Port Arthur, Texas and my old Desco hat started leaking around the neck dam. That hat was with me since my first job on the Gulf rigs back in 95. I had to switch to a new Kirby Morgan 21 I picked up at a salvage sale, and it just feels different, not bad, but not the same. Any of you guys hang onto gear way past its prime just because it worked?

3 comments

3 Comments

theajohnson5d ago

You old Desco finally gave out, huh? That stinks. I had a similar thing happen with a wet suit hood I'd been using since like 2003. The rubber got so stiff it wouldn't seal around my neck anymore, and I had to switch to a new one. My buddy still uses a dive knife his dad gave him from the 80s though, says the new ones just feel like toys.

phoenixk645d ago

@theajohnson I soaked mine in warm water with a touch of fabric softener, loosened it right up.

marybutler5d ago

That Desco sounds well-worn, but new gear these days is just as tough if you ask me.