Undersea diving is one of life's great delights. Imagine gliding deep under the sea through schools of colourful fish against a backdrop of brilliant coral. It's truly another world and one that anyone can enter with a little preparation.
The most popular diving method is Scuba diving. Scuba stands for “self contained underwater breathing apparatus”. This apparatus consists of a tank of gas, usually compressed air, along with a mask and breathing device, and flippers for propulsion. For cold waters or protection, a rubber wet suit can be worn.
Scuba diving offers the best of both worlds - extended underwater sorties and total freedom. Other methods of undersea diving have defects. Snorkelling and free-diving are limited by the divers ability to hold his breath, and air lines to an air source on a boat can be cumbersome.
Men have swum underwater for millennia. First they used reeds as snorkels. Then in the 16th century came the diving bell. This bell-shaped device trapped air which could taken down to the bottom of the sea to provide air. Later in the 19th century came the hard hat diver. This comprised a diving suit and helmet connected by an air line to the surface ship which provided the compressed air.
The modern Scuba dates back to the second world war when French naval officer, Jacques-Yves Cousteau and French engineer, Emile Gagnan, perfected the modern demand valve. This provided the diver with air at the correct pressure for his depth.
The most popular diving method is Scuba diving. Scuba stands for “self contained underwater breathing apparatus”. This apparatus consists of a tank of gas, usually compressed air, along with a mask and breathing device, and flippers for propulsion. For cold waters or protection, a rubber wet suit can be worn.
Scuba diving offers the best of both worlds - extended underwater sorties and total freedom. Other methods of undersea diving have defects. Snorkelling and free-diving are limited by the divers ability to hold his breath, and air lines to an air source on a boat can be cumbersome.
Men have swum underwater for millennia. First they used reeds as snorkels. Then in the 16th century came the diving bell. This bell-shaped device trapped air which could taken down to the bottom of the sea to provide air. Later in the 19th century came the hard hat diver. This comprised a diving suit and helmet connected by an air line to the surface ship which provided the compressed air.
The modern Scuba dates back to the second world war when French naval officer, Jacques-Yves Cousteau and French engineer, Emile Gagnan, perfected the modern demand valve. This provided the diver with air at the correct pressure for his depth.