Antique Dive Helmets

Antique diving helmets were chiefly used by branches of the armed services and also by researchers that would have to dive and spend over one or two minutes submerged in deep water. The helmets for diving would come with a diving suit, and they could make a valuable decorative piece to display in your house.

What do antique diving helmets look like?

• Front and rear insignia: Helmets that were utilized by the Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard for a dive provide insignia with the seal of the respective branch of the armed forces, the helmet number, logos, and other ornamental finishes.
  
• Buckles and fittings: The helmets have metal or animal hide buckles and fittings on the outside which were utilized in an effort to create a seal between the helmet and the diving suit.
  
• Hinged front glass: The hinged front glass of the helmet enabled the individual to lift the glass up and have a better view of the sea bed upon returning from a dive. The lifting up of the glass also made breathing easier once the individual reached the surface after finishing diving to a considerable depth.

What are antique diving helmets made of?

• Glass: The visor part of the diving helmets was normally constructed from glass. During the advent of World War II, the diving helmets were constructed using glass that could resist shattering. The diving helmet's glass enabled the divers to observe what lay ahead.
• Metal: Copper and brass were generally used in diving helmets for divers who had to dive underwater in seawater. These helmet materials provided a better resistance against the ocean water salts. It was also strong while diving to a moderate depth with a moderate amount of pressure.
  
• Leather: Leather was utilized in diving helmets to keep the divers warm while diving into cold water. The animal hide also enabled the diver to dive to a deeper level of saltwater or freshwater, since more of the body heat would be retained between the prepared animal hide flaps on the helmet and the canvas of the diving helmet.

How were antique diving helmets used?

The helmet closed the diver's head so that they could reach a significant depth in the sea. By closing the individual's head, the helmet served to minimize the quantity of atmospheric pressure that would otherwise lead to severe illness. The helmet also provided an access port for the supply of oxygen under pressure so that the individual could breathe underwater. The older helmets had a free flow design for the delivery of breathing air under pressure. The simple design was attached to a closed canvas diving suit and was attached to a surface-floating pump of saltwater or freshwater. Hosing entered the helmet for the air delivery. The helmets were utilized in the placement of mines, searching for treasures, visiting sunken ships, and inspecting underwater obstacles.