‘DiveScrap’Index
the scrapbook of diving history
The Yokohama Diving Company was established in the early 20th century. Their helmets were initially inspired by the english Siebe Gorman helmets which they manufactured in a smaller size. This also resulted in a smaller volume helmet allowing the divers to use less lead weights when diving. In the early nineteen sixties Yokohama became involved in manufacturing their own helmets but in a different design after american diving equipment manufacturer Robert Kirby had rebuilt several Yokohama helmets into a more practical / modern design. One of these helmet was a HeO2 version which Kirby had sold to a diving company in the USA. This diving company then took his helmet to Japan and had then manufactured at a lower price by Yokohama. When Kirby found out about it he made arrangements with Yokohama to allow them to manufacture ‘his’ helmets but allowing Kirby the sole right to retail these helmets in the USA. where they were quite popular for some time. Yokohama is no longer in business.
The Yokohama Diving Co., Ltd 12 bolt helmets
Above: the Yokohama Diving Company ‘classic Japanese design’ Ventilated Air Diving Helmet. Special thanks to mr. Yamada Kaito from Japan for sharing his photographs.
Above: another variation of the Yokohama Diving Company Ventilated Air Diving Helmet. This helmet shows the large plexiglass side and top windows as designed by Robert Kirby. The faceplate is still a conventional one in a brass frame. The brails now have the large eyes welded to them as designed by Robert Kirby. The security lock on its neck rings is placed towards the side, where the helmet further above still has it placed in the middle on the back side. Special thanks to mr. Yamada Kaito from Japan for sharing his photographs.
Above: another variation of the Yokohama Diving Company Ventilated Air Diving Helmet. This helmet shows the large plexiglass side and top windows as well as the face plate designed by Robert Kirby. The security lock on the neck rings is placed exactly in the middle at the back of this helmet. Photographs David L.Dekker.
The Yokohama Diving Co., Ltd 12 bolt ‘Ventilated Air Helmet’ ( variation 2 )
The Yokohama Diving Co., Ltd 12 bolt ‘Ventilated Air Helmet’ ( variation 3 )
The Yokohama Diving Co., Ltd 12 bolt ‘Ventilated Air Helmet’ classic Japanese design
The Yokohama Diving Co., Ltd 12 bolt ‘Ventilated Air Helmet’ ( variation 5 )
Above: another variation of the Yokohama Diving Company Ventilated Air Diving Helmet. This helmet shows the large plexiglass side, top and front windows as designed by Robert Kirby. The brails have the large eyes welded to them as designed by Robert Kirby. The security lock on its neck rings is placed towards the right side on the front of the helmet. The air and coms connectors are now placed in a block at the center on the back of the helmet. The exhaust valve has been simplified with its control valve higher and further to the back. Photographs David L.Dekker
The Yokohama Diving Co., Ltd 12 bolt ‘HeO2 Helmet’
Above: the Yokohama Diving Company Helium - Oxygen ( HeO2 ) Mix Gas Diving Helmet as designed by Robert Kirby. This helmet shows a lot of ‘plumbing’ done to it at the back side, which holds the scrubber filter and tubing to guide the gas into and out of the helmet. The large plexiglass side and top windows as well as the large eyes welded to the brails are designed by Robert Kirby, the faceplate is still a conventional one in a brass frame but could be replaced by a plexiglass one. The security lock on its neck rings is now placed on the left side. Special thanks to mr. Yamada Kaito from Japan for sharing his photographs.
Above: another Yokohama Diving Company Helium - Oxygen ( HeO2 ) Mix Gas Diving Helmet as designed by Robert Kirby. Since both the exhaust valve and the neck ring assembly on this helmet has been simplified when comparing it with the other Yokohama HeO2 helmet I think this is a later version. Also the injector housing is now built to the other side of the helmet. which seems to simplify the lay out of the system.
The Yokohama Diving Co., Ltd 12 bolt ‘Pearler Helmet’
Above: another Yokohama Diving Helmet, this design is based on the ‘Pearler’ helmet by C.E.Heinke from England. This model was also manufactured by the Japanese TOA company, Pearler’s are rather uncommon, most Yokohama helmets have the round shape breastplate. Special thanks to mr. P.K. Chandran from Singapore for sharing his photographs.
The Yokohama Diving Co., Ltd 12 bolt ‘Ventilated Air Helmet’ ( variation 4 )
Above: basically the same variation of the Yokohama Diving Company Ventilated Air Diving Helmet as variation 3. Except for the breastplate which is not having a ‘neck’, it is lower. Special thanks to mr. P.K. Chandran from Singapore for sharing his photographs.