Diving equipment
490009
222904990
2008-07-01T17:59:12Z
Mark.murphy
42906
The fundamental item of '''diving equipment''' used by divers is the [[Scuba sets|SCUBA equipment]], such as the [[Aqua-Lung|Aqualung]] or [[Rebreather]]. There are other important pieces of equipment that make diving safer, more convenient or more efficient.
==Personal Diving Equipment==
===Scuba life support===
* Open-circuit [[Scuba sets|Scuba]] consisting of [[diving cylinder]](s) and [[diving regulator]](s)
* [[Rebreather]], closed-circuit or semi-closed-circuit Scuba
===Alternative life support===
* [[Liquid breathing]] systems are extremely rare and at an early experimental stage. It is hoped that some day practical systems allow very deep diving.
* [[Snorkel (swimming)|Snorkel]] allows breathing at the surface with the face submerged.
* [[Standard diving dress]] - mostly used in [[professional diving]]. Merely of historical interest now.
* [[Surface supplied diving]] - mostly used in professional diving, except recreational forms like [[snuba]].
===Thermal, sting and abrasion protection===
* In cold water, a [[diving suit]] such as a [[dry suit]] or a [[wet suit]]
* In very warm water, many types of tough, long, everyday clothing provide protection, as well as purpose made garments such as dive skins and shorty wetsuits
* Diving [[glove]]s, [[neoprene]] is often used for thermal insulation
* [[wetsuit boot|Diving boots]], often made of neoprene and [[rubber]]
===In-water stabilisation and movement===
* A [[Backplate and wing|backplate]] is a structural device linking the buoyancy of the wing with the weight of the diving cylinders and harnessed around the diver's body
* [[Buoyancy compensator]], Buoyancy Control Device, BCD or BC - many names for a buoyancy adjusting and life-saving buoyancy device
* [[Diver Propulsion Vehicle]] - to increase the range of the diver undwerwater
* [[Diving weighting system]] - to counteract the buoyancy of the [[diving suit]] and diver to allow descent
* [[swimfin|Fins]] for efficient propulsion
===Measurement and navigation===
* [[Compass]] for underwater navigation
* [[Decompression tables]] to avoid [[decompression sickness]]
* [[Depth gauge]] is used with watch for decompression monitoring on [[decompression tables]]
* [[Distance line]] is used to navigate back to the start point in poor visibility
* [[Dive computer|Dive Computer]] to avoid [[decompression sickness]]
* [[Watch]] is used with depth gauge for decompression monitoring on decompression tables
===Vision and communication===
[[Image:Scubamask.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A dive mask offers clear sight and protection.]]
* [[Diving mask|Mask]] allows the diver to see clearly underwater and protects the eyes.
* Refraction and underwater vision [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scuba_diving#Refraction_and_underwater_vision]
* [[Full face mask]] allows talking if no mouthpiece inside.
* [[Diving helmet]] used with surface supplied diving.
* Underwater writing [[slate (writing)|slate]] and [[pencil]] to transport pre-dive plans underwater, to record facts whilst underwater and to aid communication with other divers .
* [[Flashlight|Torch/flashlight]] is essential in low visibility or dark environments like during [[night diving]], wrecks, caves and for communication.
* Hand-held [[sonar]] for a diver.
===Tools===
[[Image:Gerber River Shorty.jpg|thumb|right|[[Gerber Legendary Blades| Gerber]] ''River Shorty'', a river/diving knife, with serrated edge for cutting lines and straps, and a blunt tip for prying.]]
* [[Airlift (dredging device)|Airlift]] - a [[gas]] "powered" tube that is used in [[nautical archaeology]], which vacuums small objects, [[sand]] and [[mud]] from the [[sea bed]]
* [[Camera]] and [[Underwater photography#Underwater housings|housing]] - for [[underwater photography]] or [[underwater videography]]
* [[Decompression trapeze]] consists of one or more horizontal bars, suspended at [[decompression stops]] by [[buoy]]s
* [[Diving reel]] to transport a distance line or line for a surface marker buoy
* [[Diving shot]] consisting of a weight, line and [[buoy]] used to mark the location of a dive site, allowing divers to navigate to and from the surface and to do [[decompression stops]] at a safe location
* [[Dry box]] to hold objects the diver needs to keep dry at depth (wallet, cell phone)
* [[Knife]] to cut lines, nets or to pry or dig. Can also be used for personal protection against underwater predators if needed, however not recommended.
* [[Lifting bag]] - to lift heavy objects underwater activated by adding air
===Surface detection aids===
The purposes of this class of personal equipment are to:
* allow the support [[boat]] to monitor and find divers on the surface during or after a dive
* prevent the diver being struck by [[boat]] traffic
* mark the diver's position when [[drift diving]] or while at the [[decompression stop]]
* help rescue services in [[Lifeboat (rescue)|lifeboat]]s and [[helicopter]]s to locate the diver
Surface detection aids (with cheapest and most effective towards the top) include:
* [[Surface Marker Buoy]], Decompression buoy, Delayed SMB, safety sausage or blob
* Red or yellow collapsible [[flag]] - high visibility, robust, bungeed to cylinder
* [[Whistle]] - cheap, will only be heard by people far from engine noise
* [[Flashlight|Torch/flashlight]] - if at sea after night fall
* [[Strobe light]] - needs long-lasting batteries
* High pressure whistle - expensive but effective
* Orange water [[dye]] - increases diver's visibility from search [[helicopter]]s
* [[Mirror]] such as a used [[Compact Disc]] - to reflect sunlight or searchlights
* Red pyrotechnic [[Flare (pyrotechnic)|flare]]s - for helicopters and lifeboats
* [[Emergency position-indicating rescue beacon]]
==Surface equipment==
[[Image:ICS Diver.svg|thumb|100px|Informal [[Recreational diving]] flag]]
[[Image:ICS Alpha.svg|thumb|100px|[[International maritime signal flags|Signal flag]] A - "I have a diver down - Keep clear"]]
* [[Diver down flag]] is flown warning others that divers are underwater
* [[Diving air compressor]] to fill diving cylinders with high pressure air or other gasses
* [[Boat]]s such as the [[rigid-hulled inflatable boat]]
* [[Echo sounding|Echo sounder]] - a [[Sonar|SONAR]] depth measuring and profiling device used for dive site location
* [[GPS]] receiver - for locating dive sites
* [[Proton magnetometer]] - for locating ferrous wrecks
* [[ROV|Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle]] - for locating dive sites
* [[Marine VHF radio]] - for communicating with rescue services and other boats
==Illustration==
[[Image:typical diver charted.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Basic diving equipment]]
This picture shows some of the basic diving equipment and controls:
* 1) the [[diving mask]]
* 2) the demand valve of the [[diving regulator]]
* 3) the [[buoyancy compensator]] inflation and vent valves
* 4) an alternate buoyancy compensator vent valve
* 5) shoulder straps of the BCD, which can be released by another diver in case of emergency
* 6) a [[depth gauge]] - showing 23 [[metre]]s
* 7) the contents gauge displaying remaining pressure in the [[diving cylinder]] - showing 150 [[Bar (unit)|bar]]
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[[Category:Diving equipment| ]]
[[Category:Underwater diving]]
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[[he:ציוד צלילה]]
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[[ja:ダイビング器材]]
[[sk:Potápačský výstroj]]