All About Equipment and its Accessories |
General Equipment
Mask
The mask is a piece of equipment used for better view under water. It has two main parts – a glass plate and a rubber part, also known as a “cuff”. The cuff accommodates and adheres to the forms of the face and prevents water from entering into the mask. There are many models but here are the best:
Scuba
Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCUBA) allows the diver to carry his breathing medium and work underwater without assistance from the surface. There are three main kinds of scuba – open-circuit, closed-circuit and semi-closed circuit scuba.
Open-Circuit Scuba
The open-circuit scuba consists of a high-pressure cylinder which contains the breathing gas, a demand regulator, which reduces the pressure of the gas coming from the cylinders into the lungs of the diver, and straps or bands used for attaching the scuba to the diver. The hoses and the mouthpieces carry the air from the regulator to diver’s mouth. The exhaled air is released straight in water forcing bubbles to form.
Closed-Circuit Scuba
The breathing gas is stored in a high-pressure cylinder from which it flows into the inhaling bag. The amount of gas in the bag is controlled by a regulator. The exhaled air is held in the exhalation bag and then it passes through the CO2 absorber which removes it. The clean gas flows in the inhalation bag again ready to be re-breathed. The closed-circuit scuba allows the diver to stay under water for a longer period of time.
Semi-Closed-Circuit Mixed Gas Scuba
It works on the same principle as the closed-circuit scuba. Here, the breathing medium is constantly flowing and when the accumulated air becomes useless, it is released into the surrounding water.
Fins
The fins are used for helping the diver swim fast and save energy. Their structure resembles the legs of a frog. They are made of different kinds of rubber and plastics. There are two main kinds of fins - for beginners and professionals. The former are smaller, softer and more flexible. Swimming with them is easy but slow. The latter type are bigger and harder. The have stiff restrictive gills. Moving with them is difficult but fast. Most of the models are put on like shoes but some are fastened to the feet with bands.
Snorkel
The snorkel is a piece of equipment used for breathing when the diver is near the surface. It consists of a plastic tube and a rubber mouthpiece. Its shape is hook-like. The snorkel should match the following requirements:
· the diameter of the tube should be big enough to help easy breathing and narrow enough to facilitate the blowing away of water which gets in it when the diver submerges; The most widely-spread snorkels are 34 cm long and 60 mm in diameter.
it should have a bright upper end which pops out above the surface and signals diver’s location to his partners and the passing boats;
it should have a means of attachment to the mask;
Protective Clothing
Wet Suit
Wet suits are made of closed-cell foamed neoprene and are 3-12 mm thick. They prevent the body of the diver from overcooling and minor injuries such as those caused by pricking on corals. The neoprene suit consists of pants, jacket, boots, gloves, hood and vest. It also might be a cami-knickers. Wet suits can be used when diving in water no colder than 15,6 C degrees.
Some suits have an inner layer of nylon which prevents them from tearing and makes them easier to be put on. The disadvantage of the wet suit with nylon is that if cold water enters it, it might cause a chill to the diver.
The thicker the neoprene is, the warmer it keeps. However, thick neoprene makes the movements of the diver more difficult.
Dry Suit
Dry suits are made of waterproof materials and worn over a wet suit or other warm-keeping clothing. The dry suit can be filled with air through special valves. It also can be emptied through an exhaust valve. Well-trained divers can control their buoyancy by controlling the suits’ valves. The dry suit is used for cold water diving when the temperature is near the 0 C degrees.
Below you can see a type of diving dry suit which is worn in dirty, toxic waters. It consists of a helmet, attached to the main dress by means of a clip. This piece of diver’s clothing is used to avoid direct contact with water. It also protects industrial divers from injuries during their work with instruments and tools.
Variable-Volume Neoprene Suit
These suits are the same as the dry suits but they are made of closed-cell foamed neoprene with an inner and outer layer of nylon. They are used in the same way as the dry suit but in colder waters.
Open-Circuit Hot-Water Suits
Open-circuit hot-water suits use hot water to prevent the diver from chills. The hot water has the same effect as the hot-water bottle. Water flows through small tubes and keeps the body warm. When the water gets cold, it leaves the suit through a valve. The open-circuit hot-water suit is made of passive insulation materials.
Closed-Circuit Hot-Water Suits
These suits are the same as the open-circuit hot-water suits but use a definite amount of water which circulates and is constantly rewarmed.
Devices & Accessories
Weight Belts
Weight belts are made of synthetic fibers or rubber and are fastened by a buckle which can be easily unbuckled in case of emergency. One kilogram weights are strung up on to compensate the negative buoyancy.
Did you know : Rubber weight belts are used in deep dives because the body is exposed to great water pressure and it shrinks. Rubber is elastic and it shrinks too. Thus, the belt cannot loosen from the waist.
Underwater knives
They are quite important and useful in case of emergency. It is recommended that every diver carries a knife. The underwater knives have different shapes but all have a comfortable rubber or plastic handle. They can be carried either on the leg near the ankle, the tight or on the waist.
Underwater watches
These are special watches with a high resistance to pressure and glowing ciphers.
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