You are here: Home / Archives for Equipment

Top 5 Professional Careers in Scuba Diving

January 20, 2009 By Mike

By Felix Tero

Scuba diving is not a regular sport or recreational activity. In fact, advanced and specialty courses in open circuit scuba diving have opened doors to established professional careers that require technical, underwater diving expertise. Engineers, scientists and environmentalists are also acquiring scuba diving skills to meet the demands of their occupation. The article lists a few professions that require scuba diving in the course of work.

  1. Underwater Engineering. Professional divers perform engineering work in lieu of the exploration and production activities of the oil industry. The job takes advantage of the skills of a scuba diver for the maintenance of submerged oil platforms. Civil engineering projects also hire professional scuba divers for the conduct of underwater surveys or when building harbors and bridges.
  2. Marine Biological Research. Scientists engaged in this field of scientific study submit to extensive scuba diving training to be able to conduct underwater research, particularly on the biodiversity of marine life. Meanwhile, environmentalists have also found scuba diving skills to be relevant in the protection of marine habitats; where frequent scuba diving is performed for the conduct of clean-up projects and periodic reef surveys.
  3. HAZMAT Diving. Short for hazardous materials diving, this is regarded as the most dangerous type of professional diving. The environmental conditions pertinent to the job pose a great health risk to the scuba diver. For this reason, employment is limited to highly skilled and experienced scuba divers who should likewise be in excellent physical state. For this type of diving, scuba divers go through a series of pre-medication treatments and are geared up only in specialized scuba equipment. Decontamination following work in polluted waters is also required. HAZMAT diving is commonly performed to repair pipelines, recover bodies and lost objects, and for the purpose of underwater pollution control as well.
  4. Underwater Photography and Film Making. Television and film producers invest part of their budgets to shoot underwater footages that may be relevant to a movie or documentary on production. Now this activity requires the services of professional scuba divers. This is one of the many jobs available that recreational divers can easily take on to earn extra income out of their scuba diving skills.
  5. Military, Navy and Police. The military and navy likewise train their personnel in the conduct of offensive operations such as underwater infiltration and demolition. In this case, scuba diving is significant in the recovery of underwater evidence for police profiling.

With the range of career options mentioned, learning how to scuba dive will come in handy to one intending to make scuba diving as an occupation. If you are planning to take recreational scuba diving to the next level (as a profession), invest on good quality scuba equipment. Start with the H2Odyssey Thruster Open Heel Fins which is designed to make you move swiftly underwater using minimal leg strokes. For a versatile dive suit, there is the Aeris Rio 3/2 Jumpsuit that offers you full protection and comfort while diving varied water environments.

Felix Tero produces web content for Scuba Suppliers, Inc. Get the scuba equipment that's right for you at http://www.scubasuppliers.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Felix_Tero
http://EzineArticles.com/?Top-5-Professional-Careers-in-Scuba-Diving&id=1643234

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , ,

Scuba Gear – Mask Cleaning and Maintenance

January 20, 2009 By Mike

By Anne Clarke

Scuba gear, like many other forms of sport and exploratory equipment, requires care and maintenance in order to last. Ideally, these items will not only last many years, but will also continue providing service which is as good as new.

Although not the most complex article of diving equipment, a scuba mask is no exception. It is a vital item which allows for underwater vision, whether the diving is taking place near Maui, Hawaii or Yongala, Australia.

Here are a few tips for taking optimal care of these items and retaining clear and comfortable sight for many dives to come:

  • First time cleaning - Many new articles of scuba gear will come with labels which must be carefully removed. In addition to this, new masks in particular may have an oily residue or remainders of liquid silicone on their lenses or even their straps. Some of this material may be left over from the manufacturing process. The oily film may have been applied to the silicone to protect it during shipping. If left upon the lens, this film may cause the mask to fog up during dives. It may also prevent the mask from sealing to skin correctly, allowing it to slip off at inopportune times.
    To clear away these residues, there are a few cleaning solutions available. The first is a store-bought mask scrub. Be certain to read their instructions closely, as some are harmful for plastics. Other possibilities are to use a non-abrasive liquid dishwashing detergent, or even toothpaste. When toothpaste is utilized, it is important that a gel variety is not selected.
    Follow any of these treatments by rinsing the mask fully in clear and clean water before wearing.
  • Travel care - Scuba masks commonly come in a protective case. These cases are ideal for their storage. Replacement cases are often available. For traveling convenience, a scuba gear bag may be purchased with a special pocket intended for holding the mask.
    Before leaving for a vacation which involves diving, it is wise to inspect the mask and ensure that it fits snugly. It (and all other gear) should also be inspected for any wear and tear. Ensure also that the equipment is fully dried before it is packed away.
  • General treatment - Avoid leaving the mask in direct sunlight, which can be drying and bleaching. Also, do not place it face down as this may encourage scratches on the lens surface. Always clean the mask with freshwater after use.
  • Defogging tips - Saliva and a toothpaste rinse are simple and generally readily available remedies to prevent the fogging up of diving lenses. There are also many commercially prepared defog solutions available for only a few dollars at any dive shop.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for Web sites on parenting, recreation, and home decor. Her background also includes teaching, gardening, and fashion. For more of her useful articles on scuba diving, please visit Scuba Gear, home to useful information on Maui scuba diving and much more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Clarke
http://EzineArticles.com/?Scuba-Gear---Mask-Cleaning-and-Maintenance&id=1881328

Filed Under: Articles, Dive Tips Tagged With: , , , , ,

DrySuits for Scuba Diving

June 22, 2008 By Mike

by Abir Roychowdhuri

Exploring the world under the sea is always fascinating. But to move freely underwater is not so easy as to move on the land. To be alive under water one has to carry a tank full of oxygen as breathing is not possible under water for human being. Beside that the tremendous pressure and different temperature of the water in deeper are much more different from the land.

For Scuba (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) diving the divers, boaters, sailors, swimmers, Water Adventurers, surface-water sports persons often use these things besides the full tank of oxygen:

1.    MASK
2.    FINS
3.    SNORKLE
4.    DRY SUIT and so many things.

Maintaining body temperature is one of the biggest problems for the divers. Dry suit is a kind of apparel, which gives the wearer protection from the water to his skin. Dry suits are used to prevent the water entering. Drysuits are used where the temperature of the water is between –20c to 150c.

There are three types of dry suits:

1.    Membrane dry suits
2.    Neoprene dry suits
3.    Hybrid dry suits

1. Membrane drysuits - are mainly built of thin materials of vulcanized rubber or a compound of nylon and butyl rubber. These types of dry suits do not give any real thermal protection in colder water. And these dry suits do not stretch, and needed to be oversized to the joints to give the wearer flexibility at the time of movements. Sailors and boaters who are likely to be out of water prefer these membrane dry suits. Membrane dry suits are easy to wear and put off. Membrane drysuits are mostly used in the spring.

2. Neoprene drysuits - offer the thermal protection in the colder water, keep the buoyancy. Neoprene is thermal insulating material, made of heavy-duty fabric and that fabric is coated with rubber or Polyvinyl chloride better known as venyl. The neoprene dry suits are considered better in comparison to membrane dry suits. Neoprene has some better properties, which make this more useful, chemical-resistant, more stretchable buoyant and waterproof. Neoprene drysuits give greater thermal protection even if there is a leak. Neoprene drysuits are mostly used for water surface sports and in the cold water.

3. Hybrid drysuits - are made by the combination of the membrane material and neoprene material. In hybrid dry suits, the upper part of the suits is made of membrane material and the lower part starting from the waist is made of Neoprene materials. So that the tight fitting lower part of the dry suits gives the comfort to the wearers to kick the water to move a distance when they are swimming. And the loose upper part of the dry suits lets the wearer to free movement of their arms. Hybrid drysuits are mostly used for water surface sports and in the cold water and where the divers are going deeper.

Modern drysuits are having a waterproof zippers & hydro gloves. The zippers are mostly located across the shoulder lines or in the front of the torso, to wear the dry suits easily. Drysuits may have the hydrogloves, permanently attached to the drysuits or with attachment rings. Modern drysuits have the air inflation valve, which empowers the diver to control the buoyancy of the suit by injecting air from the diving regulator to get rid of squeeze under deep water. A drysuit is worn over an insulating undersuit.

A modern drysuit has an air ventilation valve, which allows the diver to release the higher-pressure air from the suit when they are coming out of the water. Ventilator valves may be automatic or manual. It is used as the pressure relief valves. Most of the automatic ventilators are located at the shoulder of the dry suits and the manual ventilators are located at the wrist.

A modern version of the two-piece drysuit is manufactured at Customworks at Idaho. These two-piece drysuits give all sorts of comfort to the divers, boaters, swimmers, sailors, cave divers and the water adventurers. They are making the drysuits considering the needs of its users.

About The Author:

Abir Roychowdhury is a professional Internet Marketer & Sr. Executive SEO of KarmickSolutions.com. WWW.Hydroglove.com is the online resource for Scuba Gears, Diving Equipments and provides an expanding line of Rubber Molded DrySuits, Dive Kits, HydroSuits, HydroGloves, wetsuits, snorkles, masks fins, all are made for collectors, surfers, swimmers and vintage divers.

Article Source: http://www.articlegarden.com

Filed Under: Equipment Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Scuba Diving Do's and Don'ts (You Might Have Overlooked)

June 16, 2008 By Mike

By Darrell Young

If you have ever taken a sea cruise to say the caribbean or west coast around Catalina, you'll recall how blue and clear the water was. The perfect location for underwater enjoyment.
I think that (If) you were into scuba diving, or maybe not, and the cruise offered an underwater expedition you would want to sign-up. A big (If). If you sign-up, you would want to be in good physical condition and be an experienced swimmer, and most of all be Certified. Certification assures the cruise dive team you are a qualified Scuba Diver, the Grim Reaper also lurks underwater.

Scuba diving is one of the greatest sports activities in the world, but there are certain knowledge involved before entering into your exciting journey.

Here are some Do's and Don'ts connected with Scuba Diving.
(Do's): (1) Be in good physical condition and be Certified. Physical Fitness and Certification are the two most important aspects of diving, make your journey enjoyable and safe.

(2) Have a check list. There are many items to consider, but these are the most important items to be sure you have before leaving home.

Mask, Diving Fins, Weight belt, Regulator and Octopus, Compass, Dive Light with backup, Dive knife, Dive watch, Air Tank and backup, Dive flag, Spare mouthpiece, First Aid kit, Flare gun-don't forget the flares.

(3) Have a diving partner. This will make your diving more pleasant and safe, especially if you get into trouble. Keep visual contact at all times, and try not to kick out you're partners mouthpiece.

(4) Have a third person. It's very important to have a third person along top side. They should have a cell phone handy in case of trouble, they can also assist you when getting out of the water.

(5) Take along an underwater camera and underwater light and backup. You'll want to show your friends and family pictures of your beautiful underwater adventure.

(Don'ts): (1) Please Don't Drink and Dive. Intoxication can put a diver in a compromised position. One being, the inability to use common sense, and make rational judgments, especially when it involves safety involving yourself and your partner. Leave the booze at home to enjoy while your viewing your pictures.

(2) Forget to let someone know where you are going and approx. when you'll return.

(3) Eat a big meal before making your dive. You should wait at least two (2) hours after eating before you make your dive. Diving on a full belly can put you in a dangerous situation. Not only creates the possibility of acquiring cramps, but also possible upchucking in your mouthpiece making it difficult to breath.

These are just a few of the Do's and Don'ts connected with the sport of Scuba diving.

Here are a few topics in my Tid-Bit section you might be interested in.

Tid-Bits: Several centuries B.C. ancient carvings revealed Assyrian soldiers crossing rivers using inflated goatskins. This the only documentation that inflated goatskins might have been used as breathing devices. I'll leave this to the readers imagination.

Leonardo de Vinci made the first known mention of an underwater breathing device. (UBD) around the 15th century. He described it as Bad Human Nature, and gave no details as to how it worked. Mainly because using the (UBD) could possibly be used to sink ships and even used to commit murder.

Waterproof goggles were first introduced in France in the 1930's. They were actually invented by Guy Gilpatrick to keep the salt water out of your eyes at the surface. Thanks Gil.

The first Scuba Certification course in the USA was offered by the L.A. Co. Dept. of Parks and Recreation. The program was introduced by Albert Tillman and Bev Morgan.

It was 1956 before wetsuits became available to the public.

I will be adding Tid-Bits to upcomming articles. The main topic of this article is to caution you as a diver to use sound judgement in safety and take advantage of the great rewards you'll receive from your Scuba Diving Experience

If you are new to scuba diving, or experienced, you can visit my website at http://www.scuba-pro-tips.com for Tips and solutions you might use in your quest to discover how to become proficient in the beautiful art of Scuba Diving

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darrell_Young
http://EzineArticles.com/?Scuba-Diving-Dos-and-Donts-(You-Might-Have-Overlooked)&id=1233708

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , , ,