Introduction

TThe Dutch Diving Helmets are made by Kees de Jonge in The Netherlands. In the early 1990s Kees started a diving school, specialising in helmet diving using a Siebe Gorman diving suit. Together with Bert Dodde and Raimond Dupont, Kees formed the Dutch Working Equipment Group. Over the years, Kees used every opportunity to keep the diving helmet history alive, not only by giving diving lessons and writing a PADI Brass Helmet Diver Specialty Manual, but also by visiting other helmet diving enthusiasts, being present at the Dutch Dive Show and giving lectures and demonstrations.

As well as using the old diving helmets, Kees searched for more ways to promote helmet diving.

This led to the development of the Dutch Diving Helmet, a modern looking bronze shallow water helmet with the characteristics of an old diving helmet. Using the DDH in diving clubs was so successful, and the users were so enthusiast, that Kees decided to develop this project. Now, Kees is the only manufacturer in the world making cast bronze shallow water helmets.

Kees dressed in his Siebe Gorman rig.

Diving Manual:

During the development of the Dutch Diving Helmet, Kees noticed that more and more businesses worldwide started Underwater Walks. Whether they have the necessary knowledge and experience, nobody knows….

This led to the composition of an Underwater Walk manual, that was presented to PADI. The manual was approved by PADI which was a great achievement. The use of an approved manual opens the way for diving resorts to start Underwater Walks in a professional manner with trained and certified instructors! This has a double benefit; instructors are compelled to learn all about the shallow water diving helmet and secondly, participants know that the Underwater Walk represents a safe, easy and comfortable activity. In the meanwhile PSDA and IANTD Europe have also approved the Underwater Walk manual. This approval means that certified Underwater Walk instructors can take tourists to 15 and divers to 30 feet of water. There’s no diving certification required for the participants.

 

Underwater walk in the Mediterranean Sea

Description:

The Dutch Diving Helmet has been specially developed for use in the tourist industry. Almost every person, with or without diving experience, can experience an “Underwater Walk” in shallow water and enjoy the wonderful aquatic life.

The cast bronze helmet is worn on the divers’ shoulders. Under water, it weighs just a few pounds. Air is delivered into the helmet by a surface air supply unit. The air is trapped in the helmet and enables the diver to breath freely. Redundant air mixes with the exhaled air and leaves the helmet from the open underside. Three ports supply the diver with a great view. Optionally, the helmet can be fitted with a communication set. Unlike plastic helmets, this helmet has a long life span.

During the last few years, several different helmets were made. There are two basic types. One is slightly heavier than the other. There are also some different sizes of the bonnet, neck ring and corselet shape. One of the DDH helmets was made with extra large windows, just like the Galeazzi Gran Luce. Another one was made following the Carmagnolle diving suit.

Different styles of the Dutch Diving Helmet Test dive of the Carmagnolle Helmet

Dutch Diving helmets can, in co-operation with Nautiek, deliver the necessary hardware like communication sets and air supply units for one or more divers.

The Dutch Diving Helmet in use:

The Dutch Diving Helmet is very easy in use. Normally we use two or three helmets and the Dutch Diving Air Trolley and a historic diving pump. The equipment is very easy to handle. Even the transport of three or more diving tanks is easy!

 

Having fun underwater with the Dutch Diving Helmet

Some examples:

Introduction dives for divers or diving clubs.
Introduction dives for tourists, in leisure centre or in diving resorts.
Introduction dives for children, for instance birthdays or school activities.
Introduction dives during dive shows.
Introduction dives during snorkel courses.
Underwater Walk specialty course.
Underwater Walks for tourists on location. (Spain, France)
Underwater walks combined with historical diving.

New is the Dive and Dine concept: a short introduction, followed by two hours of diving practice and last but not least, finishing the activity with a nice dinner. Ideal for small groups!

A Dutch school after a Dutch Diving Helmet experience

Because the Underwater Walks are so easy to do, several participants have also signed up for the regular Open water diving course.

The helmet is easy, safe and comfortable and the use of an internationally recognized manual helps to conduct safe Underwater Walks. If you have any more questions, let me know: mail to helmduiken@chello.nl



Finally:

An article from the Historical Diving Times (issue 34, page 55) states: ” what’s surely going to become a collector’s item possibly now and definitely in the future”.

What better compliment could we have…?

With thanks to Kees de Jonge for contributing this fascinating article.

For comments or further information please contact Helmduiken or info@divingheritage.com