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c/commercial-divers•emmaclarkemmaclark•15d ago

Unpopular opinion: Kirby Morgan helmets are overhyped for inshore work

I used to swear by my KM-16, spent over $2k on it a few years back. But after a job in Galveston last month where I borrowed my buddy's Ocean Reef, I switched. The lighter weight saved my neck on a 6-hour hull inspection, and the comms were clearer. Anyone else ditch the heavy gear for something simpler on shallow dives?
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3 Comments
ray_martinez82
...and honestly I don't get why people act like switching helmets is some kind of life changing event. @luna_wright I hear you on the neck thing, I really do, but my KM-16 has been through hell and still works fine. I've done ten hour days in it and yeah my neck gets sore but that's part of the job. A lighter helmet is nice and all but I've seen guys swap to those Ocean Reefs and then have the comms cut out on them halfway through a shift. Not worth it to me for that risk. I'll keep the brick until it actually breaks.
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luna_wright
Yo, preach! I had almost the same thing happen to me down in Mobile. I lugged my KM-18 around for years thinking it was the only real option, but last spring I grabbed a used Ocean Reef for a shrimp boat hull job and my neck was so much happier after a few hours. The KM felt like a brick compared to it and the sound quality was night and day on the comms. I still keep my KM for deep stuff or cold water, but for everyday inshore work I'll take the lighter rig every time, no question.
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sage_green
sage_green14d ago
@luna_wright you tried one?
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