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]] <p style="clear: both"> [[Category:Diving equipment| ]] [[Category:Underwater diving]] [[de:Tauchausrüstung]] [[he:ציוד צלילה]] [[nl:Duikuitrusting]] [[ja:ダイビング器材]] [[sk:Potápačský výstroj]]