Dive equipment, Scuba gear, and Masks
Welcome
to Oceansports1.com. Our site is dedicated to gathering and disseminating
information about dive equipment, safety, and maintenance. Oceansports1.com
is purely informational and does not promote or endorse any particular
product or method.
Our site is designed to educate about dive equipment as well as other
equipment used in other water entertainment sports such as wakeboarding
and waterskiing.
While there are many types of diving equipment used by divers the most
fundamental piece to SCUBA diving safety is the SCUBA equipment, such
as the aqualung or rebreather. Scuba life-support includes an open circuit
scuba consisting of one or more diving regulators and one or more diving
cylinders. The dive cylinder is also known as a tank and is what the
diver uses to carry compressed breathing gas. Typically, dive cylinders
come in various sizes – the larger the size the longer you can
stay underwater ¬– and are made out of aluminum or steel.
You can also have a rebreather, closed-circuit or semi-closed-circuit
SCUBA.
Of course, there are other pieces of equipment that make diving more
enjoyable and safer. An alternative air source, also known as alternative
life-support, is often called the Octopus and uses a backup second stage
regulator. It functions just like your primary stage regulator and is
there in case your primary fails. Other alternative life-support systems
include liquid breathing systems, which are extremely rare and at an
early developmental stage. Possibly someday practical systems will allow
for very deep diving. A snorkel allows for breathing at the surface
when your face is submerged.
Diving gear refers primarily to clothing worn to provide thermal protection.
It also prevents stings and abrasion of the skin. In cold water you
will need a diving suit such as a dry suit or a wetsuit. These suits
keep you warm when you're submerged. They are designed to be worn snug
against the skin in order to allow little water to come directly into
contact with the diver. They are made of neoprene which insulates the
diver from the cold water. Suits come in many sizes ranging from 1 mm
to 7 mm or more, but the most common sizes are 3 mm, 5 mm, and 7 mm.
Other neoprene devices include boots, gloves and hoods. In colder water
divers wore neoprene boots to keep their feet warm. These are called
booties. Diving gloves protect the hands and are particularly useful
when diving to retrieve items from the depths of the sea. Another type
of cold water protection you are likely to wear is a hood. A hood is
a neoprene cap worn over the head to keep it warm and can be thought
of as an extension of your wetsuit.
To see clearly underwater and protect the eyes a diver must choose from
one of the many styles of dive masks. Not only does the mask allow the
diver to see the underwater wonders, but it allows him to communicate
visually with his dive buddy. Other communication devices include an
underwater writing slate and pencil, a torch and flashlight for low
visibility or dark environments, and hand-held sonar.
The full list of dive equipment and gear is extensive. It also includes
stabilization and movement devices, measurement and navigation devices,
tools, surface detection aids, and surface equipment.
In order to understand all of this dive equipment thoroughly you should
find a certified PADI instructor and complete course certification.
This can be done in a matter of weeks or even while you’re on
vacation.