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Essential scuba diving equipmentScuba diving equipment has made vast improvements over the last 300 years and scuba diving is the most extensively used system for breathing underwater throughout the world.The advantages and disadvantages of scuba diving There are many advantages over other systems of diving such as free diving, mixed gas and helmeted saturation; it gives a greater freedom of movement under water due to the diver being able to swim with fins and without the need to carry heavy cumbersome equipment. The equipment used in scuba diving is relatively easy to use once being trained in its use and is inexpensive to buy if you buy from a diving school when purchasing lessons or courses. However, recreational scuba equipment does have its drawbacks; the main being there is no direct link between the surface and the diver. The main disadvantage of this is there is no communication regarding the diver's activities; the diver is limited to the time spent underwater and is also limited to the depth they can dive. Essential equipment In addition to the basic equipment such as fins and mask there are several other essential pieces of equipment needed for scuba diving, recreational equipment needed for scuba diving consists of a cylinder which is attached to a 2-stage regulator. Cylinders are normally made from steel or aluminum alloy and are designed to withstand pressure ranging from 2,250 to 3,500 psi, with most cylinders having a capacity of 80 cubic feet. The amount of time the diver can spend underwater with this cylinder will depend on several factors such as the rate at which the diver breathes and the depth at which the diver descends. The demand regulator's primary function is to reduce the high-pressure gas supplied by the scuba cylinder surrounding the diver at depth. Other equipment critical for safety in the water are the pressure gauge, depth gauge and watch or dive timer. All of these devices are essential to the safety of the diver and give him information regarding the amount of air left in the cylinder, the depth at which they are diving and how long they have been underwater. Any diver who exceeds the amount of time spent underwater or depth increases the risk of susceptibility to nitrogen narcosis or decompression sickness. Two more essential pieces of equipment are the BC or BCD which are buoyancy aids and adjusters and a knife, BC`s are normally worn like a vest and include a fitting for mounting the air cylinder. The vest will contain an air bladder which the diver can use to help correct buoyancy by inflating or deflating it. The knife comes in useful for several things such as detangling, a signalling device by tapping it on the air cylinder and for protection against predators. |
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