Scuba is the acronym for self contained underwater breathing apparatus

November 6, 2008

Of all the water sports, Scuba diving is one of the most popular ones. Scuba is the acronym for self contained underwater breathing apparatus. Specialized scuba equipment allows the diver to breathe underwater for long periods of time. Snorkeling is different because the swimmer breathes directly from the atmosphere through a mouth tube. During scuba diving, the swimmer carries a supply of air underwater, and there is no need to surface until the air tank is empty. The scuba diver does exhale the breathed air through a snorkel like tube into the water. Both activities require the diver to wear special eye masks to enhance underwater vision.

Scuba diving is usually associated with deep sea ocean and salt water diving. This does not always have to be the case. Divers can use scuba equipment in any water situation requiring a long time underwater. Law enforcement officers frequently utilize scuba diving gear to search ponds and lakes for evidence. Military divers wear scuba diving equipment to examine ship bottoms, remove mines, or sneak ashore from ships at sea. Large industrial tanks, pools, or ponds that cannot be drained are often inspected by scuba diving experts.