- Booties
In colder water it is normal to wear neoprene boots with open heeled fins to keep the feet warm. These boots are normally called booties. They are also used to protect the feet, particularly when shore diving, and some divers find them more comfortable than full foot fins. - Compass
An underwater compass is a very handy navigational tool and is a common piece of equipment for divers to carry. Compasses can be attached to gauge consoles, worn separately on the wrist, attached to the band of a watch or dive computer, and digital compasses are now even built into the latest
dive computers. - Cylinder
The dive cylinder is also commonly called a tank and is what you use to carry your compressed breathing gas (usually air). Dive cylinders are typically made out of aluminum or steel and come in various sizes with the most common size being 90 cubic feet / 12 liters. Breathing gas is compressed inside the cylinder at up to 3000psi/210bar. - Depth Gauge
This gauge shows you how deep you are. Depth is measured in either feet or meters. - Dive Computer
The most basic dive computers will tell you your depth and dive time but it is also common for dive computers to calculate no-decompression limits over multiple dives. Many newer dive computers will also track air consumption and temperature and some even have built-in electronic compasses. Dive computers are commonly found attached to gauge consoles or worn on the wrist like a watch and can now be found built into masks. - Dive Knife
It is good practice to carry a dive knife or shears. Dive knives are not used as weapons, they're used to free yourself from entanglement, particularly from fishing line. Many divers carry more than one knife for added safety and it's advisable to wear one on the BCD and one strapped to a leg. - Fins
Fins are commonly called flippers by non-divers. They are long flat rubber or plastic extensions of your feet that allow you to swim with much greater ease and speed. The two primary varieties of fins are full-foot and open-heeled. Full-foot fins completely cover the foot like a shoe and are most commonly used in warm tropical water. Open-heeled fins have a strap across the back
and are worn with booties to allow the feet more warmth and comfort. - Hood
If you're diving in cold water you're likely to wear a hood. A hood is a neoprene cap that you wear over your head to keep it warm and can be thought of as an extension of the wetsuit. - Regulator
This is what you use to breathe the air from the cylinder - Slate
There are many different types of slates, but the most common are fish slates and writing slates. A fish slate is a waterproof plastic sheet covered in pictures and names of fish (and other creatures) the diver is likely to see. A writing slate is a blank piece of plastic with a pencil attached by a cord and is used to communicate by writing underwater, taking notes, or drawing. Slates are normally attached to a D-Ring on the BCD. - Snorkel
At its most basic a snorkel is a plastic tube that allows you to breathe while you're swimming on the surface. It is normally attached to the left side of the mask. It's a great way to conserve the air in your cylinder while swimming on the surface. Snorkels also come with such features as purge valves (to make it easier to clear any water inside) and splash guards (to make it hard for water to splash in the top). - Submersible Pressure Gauge
The Submersible Pressure Gauge (more commonly called SPG) is the gauge that tells you how much air you have left in your tank. Air pressure is measured in PSI or bar. Most SPGs have a section of the dial highlighted in red which shows you when you're getting low on air. - Weight System
Most people need weights to sink in water. There are two common weight systems: The Weight Belt and Integrated Weights - Wetsuit
Wetsuits keep you warm while underwater. They are made from neoprene and designed to be worn snugly in order to allow little water to move against the diver's skin. They work by insulating the diver from the cold water. Wetsuits come in many sizes from one millimeter to seven millimeters or more, with the most common sizes being 3mm, 5mm, and 7mm.
Scuba Equipment Glossary
September 27, 2009 By
Scuba Diving Computer Suunto D9 – James Bond Would Want One
January 20, 2009 By
By Edward Price
Posing as a wristwatch when not underwater, the feature packed diving computers offer many functions that would leave James Bond envious of their technology. This neat little wrist-watch computers can do everything from log depth and dive time, to handling air integration. In scuba diving technology, these newest dive computers are loaded into mini, portable gadgets.
Dive computers are primarily used for nitrogen management by combining a timer, depth gauge and software that computes absorption of gases. All divers should know about residual nitrogen and decompression and some may use manual dive tables. The scuba diver computer is becoming more popular as an automated way to help keep track.
Suunto D9 is a feature packed dive computer:
The Suunto D9 diving computer is a good example. This dive computer has many features and a streamlined look. This diving computer offers the following:
• Allows you to log depth
• Keeps track of Dive time
• Temperature
• No-decompression limits over multiple dives working with air and nitrox
• Can be used in gauge and free-diving modes
• Can be switched between metric and imperial
• Can be adjusted for altitude diving
• Using the optional Suunto D9 Wireless Transmitter, it can act as a SPG
• Multiple transmitters can monitor multiple tanks, such as diving instructors monitoring students
• Can handle up to three different mixes of 21%-100% oxygen and allows you switch gases during the dive.
• Can be used at depths up to 660 feet
• Has a digital compass
• Comes with a USB Interface and PC software for dive logging
• Contains a complete package of dive gauges in the wrist-watch sized computer
Things to Consider for Diver Computers:
There are certain things you should know about diver computers, such as the brand and model's reputation, ease of battery change and is it easy to read and backlit. What type of algorithms does it use for calculating, and does it have the options you need are other things to consider. You want to see if it handles different air mixtures for versatility.
All of these things are up to the diver to consider, as the computer does not plan the dive, but keeps track and computes the amount of nitrogen present. The scuba diver still has to plan a safe and healthy dive that is within the proper guidelines.
Take Care of Your Scuba Dive Computer:
You need to read about the care of the individual brand of dive computer that you choose. The most common recommendation is that you thoroughly rinse any dive computers or underwater scuba diving cameras in fresh water. Some also allow you to soak them for an extended period of time, especially after saltwater diving. Just be sure to thoroughly dry your underwater camera before you open it.
In conclusion, scuba dive computers have become sophisticated and some look great enough to wear with a three piece suit.There are several good ones on the market, such as the Suunto D9 or Oceanic Atom 2.0. James Bond would be jealous.
Edward Price has had a keen interest in scuba diving for many years. For more practical tips and information, visit his scuba diving resource site now: http://www.scubasoul.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Edward_Price
http://EzineArticles.com/?Scuba-Diving-Computer-Suunto-D9---James-Bond-Would-Want-One&id=1898866
Dive Computers
December 3, 2008 By
Dive Computers
Scuba computers are compact digital devices that perform the task of nitrogen management without the need of dive tables. Scuba computers combine a timer with a depth gauge. These computers run software that computes the absorption of gases within the divers body. Many recreational divers use scuba computers. While it is essential during training that all divers learn about residual nitrogen and decompression using dive tables, scuba computers will enhance the divers experience as it will perform nitrogen management. It is important that the diver periodically review the dive tables in the event of computer malfunctions.
It is important to understand that scuba computer does NOT plan any dives for the diver. The planning is the responsibility of the one diving because dive safety must be planned by the diver and not the computer. All dive certification agencies should promote dive safety.
Dive computers keep track of the following:
- depth and bottom time
- amount of nitrogen present in the diver's body
- alerts the diver if nitrogen levels are getting too high
- informs the diver to make decompression stops if necessary
Traditional dive tables use only maximum depth and time to calculate absorbed nitrogen. The calculation assumes the diver was at the maximum depth for the entire dive. This is where we find the benefits of dive computers. Dive computers do not calculate nitrogen in the same manner used when using dive table. Dive computers accurately calculate and track the depth allowing the diver to have longer bottom time. More bottom time means longer dives.
When shopping for a dive computer do consider the following:
- Can the battery be replaced by the diver or must it be serviced to be replaced?
- Can the dive data be uploaded to a computer?
- Can the dive computer handle nitrox gas mixtures as well as air?
- Can the buttons on the computer be managed while wearing neoprene gloves?
- Is the computers interface to the diver's liking?
- Does the dive computer support decompression management?
- Does the dive computer support "time-to-fly" (time you must wait between your last dive and ascending to altitude or flying)?
- Does the dive computer use a well-tested algorithm for calculating gas absorption and decompression? (Mares-Wienke Reduced Gradient Bubble Model (RGBM) Algorithm, Buhlmann Algorithm, and etc.)
Always research the dive computer's brand and model before purchasing. Look for recognizable manufacturers and consult the diver magazines and consumer guides.
-Fin For Yourself
Scuba Diving Equipment – an overview
May 24, 2008 By
Scuba Diving Equipment – an overview
Scuba diving equipment is designed to overcome the limits of human physiology in the submarine world and although the number of items may seem daunting to the beginner, everything has a clear purpose. Below we look at the main items of scuba diving equipment used in recreational diving.
Mask
Divers wear a face mask for the simple fact that it allows them to see underwater. The human eye is not designed to see in water, which has a different optical density to air. By simply having an air space between eyes and water the mask allows the diver to see, although the optical density means that all objects appear larger or closer when underwater. Traditionally masks were constructed from neoprene, which tended to age relatively quickly. Today's scuba masks generally consist of a lightweight plastic frame, glass lenses and a silicone rubber skirt that seals against the face. Modern masks also allow a smaller volume of air between the water and the face, which is an advantage because it means it is easier to equalize the pressure in the mask and simpler to clear of water.
Wet suit
While a wet suit is the most common type of suit worn in recreational diving, it is not the only type. Primarily to prevent the diver from losing body heat to the water, which conducts heat from the body at a much faster rate than air, a wet suit consists of a layer of low density neoprene which acts as an insulator and traps a thin layer of water between the neoprene and the diver's skin, also helping to minimize heat loss. The secondary function of a wet suit is to protect the diver from abrasions and other injuries, including stings and venoms.
When the water is too cold for a wet suit to be used divers can wear a dry suit, which as the name implies keeps the diver dry by sealing at the neck and wrists, while in warmer water divers can wear a lycra body suit which provides no thermal protection, but prevents against scrapes and stings as well as sunburn.
Fins
In the same way that fish glide through the water by moving their fins, scuba divers are able to propel themselves through the water by kicking their fins. Usually made of neoprene for the foot and rigid plastic for the blade, there are two main types; full foot and adjustable. With the former the diver simply places the boot of the fin over the bare foot, while adjustable fins have an adjustable heel strap and are usually worn over wet suit boots.
Scuba tanks
The scuba tank – also commonly known as a cylinder or a bottle – contains the divers breathing gas at high pressure. Usually the breathing gas is air, although in some circumstances other mixtures are also used.
The standard configuration in recreational scuba diving today attaches the tank to the BCD (buoyancy control device), often known simply as a jacket. The tank is attached to the rigid backplate with an adjustable strap and the BCD is then worn like a waistcoat and fastened at the front with a cummerbund.
As well as providing harnessing the scuba tank, the BCD is designed to allow the diver to adjust buoyancy in the water by either adding or reducing the amount of air held inside. Many modern BCDs also have pockets to hold lead weights, traditionally worn on a belt around the waist.
Regulators
The first stage regulator is attached to the top of the tank and reduces the pressure from the tank to supply the second stage as well as providing the air for BCD inflation. The latter supplies the diver with air at ambient pressure and is located in the mouthpiece on most modern equipment.
Scuba diving computers
Until relatively recently divers used tables to plan their dives, designed to reduce the possibility of decompression sickness. A depth gauge a dive watch were essential items to ensure the dive was within the limits of the table.
While divers are still taught dive table theory, most recreational divers quickly move on to buying a dive computer, which effectively calculates a custom table for each dive. More sophisticated models also connect to the air supply, so that they act as timer, depth gauge and air pressure monitor all in one.
About the Author: David Leigh usually dives year round in the Costa Brava in Catalonia. You can find more information about scuba diving equipment at www.CostaBravaScubaDiving.com.
