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.

 

Dive equipment | Scuba gear | Learning Center | Site Map | Links | Contact | Home

Copyright © 2007