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Scuba Diving:
What is it?
Diving Dictionary!
Types of Diving
Scuba diving is basically swimming underwater with a self-contained
underwater-breathing apparatus (scuba), to allow you to breathe and stay
underwater for extended periods.
Scuba gear was invented by Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Émile Gagnan in 1943.
What is Scuba? The word SCUBA stands for Self - Contained Underwater
Breathing Apparatus.
Diving Dictionary!
ACTUAL BOTTOM TIME
The total time in minutes from the beginning of descent until the beginning
of ascent
ANOXIA
Lack of oxygen in tissues to support normal activities. Brain cells can be
damaged when there is too low oxygen present in the blood.
BAROTRAUMAS
A state brought about by the difference in pressure between air spaces
inside the body and its surrounding environment. This health risk usually
damages the eyes, lungs, skin, ear, and the sinuses
BUDDY SYSTEM
Where you ‘pair’ off (or sometimes threes) with another diver to keep an eye
on each other when diving. Is commonly practiced so that Divers can give
assistance to each other, especially in case help or rescue is necessary.
BUOYANCY
Is an upward force on something that is immersed in a liquid or gas. It
enables an object to float or make it look like it is lighter.
BUOYANCY COMPENSATOR (DEVICE)
Commonly called a BC, or BCD. Is used by Scuba Divers to stay at a certain
depth and to control Buoyancy during descent and ascent
CERTIFICATION CARD
Commonly called a ‘c-card’. Used to show proof of completed diver training
and evidence of experience.
CPR
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. It is an emergency First Aid which is done on
an unconscious person whose pulse and breathing cannot be found.
DECOMPRESSION BUOY
Also called as Surface Marker Buoy. A surface tool used by Divers to mark
their position while at a Decompression Stop.
DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS
Commonly called the ‘bends’. It is caused by the formation of nitrogen
bubbles in the blood as well as in the tissues of the body.
DECOMPRESSION STOP
Is a period of time when the Diver stays in shallower water in order to get
rid of inert gases absorbed by the body during the dive and avoid
Decompression sickness.
DIVE COMPUTER
An electronic device used in determining important diving information such
as the current depth, maximum depth reached, dive time, time for no-stop
dive, and water temperature
DIVE FLAG
Flag used by a boat to indicate that it has 'divers down' diving
DYE MARKERS
Bright-coloured water dyes used as a surface tool. Dye Markers are basically
used to increase the visibility of Divers from the air especially in the
case of emergency
HYPOXIA
Occurs when the body or part of the body is not provided with sufficient
oxygen
LOG BOOK
List of the dives a diver has recorded for proof of experience
NITROGEN NARCOSIS
Occurs when there is a higher concentration of nitrogen dissolved in the
blood. For more
OPEN CIRCUIT SCUBA
An apparatus used in recreational diving in which exhaled air is expelled as
bubbles into the water.
OXYGEN TOXICITY
Occurs when the Diver is breathing oxygen with a high partial pressure for a
considerable period of time..
PADI
'Professional Association of Diving Instructors'. PADI is the largest
and most well known professional diving group in the world.
RE-BREATHER
Is a type of Scuba set that converts exhaled air to a gas that the Diver can
breathe again. More commonly used by the armed forces
RECOMPRESSION CHAMBER
It is a pressure vessel used to treat divers suffering from certain diving
disorders such as decompression sickness.
RECREATIONAL DIVING
Is a type of Diving which is done mainly as a leisure activity and for
enjoyment. As opposed to employment etc
REEF
An area or ridge of rocks, sand, or coral that rises to or near the surface
of a body of water.
REPETITIVE DIVE
A dive made between 10 minutes and twelve hours of a previous dive.
SAFETY STOP
A specific time spent at a set depth for nitrogen off-gassing (ie to
decrease the amount of nitrogen in your blood) while ascending. This is to
help stop you getting the ‘bends’.
SATURATION DIVING
A dive performed after the body is fully saturated with nitrogen.
SCUBA
Stands for Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. This enables
Divers to breathe underwater for a considerable period of time.
SHALLOW WATER BLACKOUT
Characterized by sudden unconsciousness caused from hypoxia. This is also
called as latent hypoxia.
SINGLE DIVE
A dive performed 12 hours after the last dive.
SKIN DIVING
Diving without the use of scuba equipment, using with snorkel mask and
fins/flippers
SNORKEL
Is a hollow, curved tube made of either rubber or plastic with a mouthpiece
that enables you to breathe while you are on the water surface with your
face down.
SURFACE INTERVAL
This is the time between dives.
SURFACE MARKER BUOY
Is a float with a strong thin line wound around a reel and is attached to
the Diver. This buoy makes it possible for the surface boat cover to know
where the Divers are.
TINNITUS
Caused by barotraumas in the inner ear and by per lymph fistula. Described
as a ringing sound heard by divers and sometimes need surgical repair.
WHISTLES/POWER WHISTLES
A surface tool used by Divers to get the attention of the surface boat
cover.
WRECK DIVING
This form of Diving involves exploration of wrecks, particularly shipwrecks.
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