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Scuba Tank

June 16, 2008 By

By Manuel Wiggins

Formally known as the diving cylinder, the scuba tank is a cylindrical metal container used to store a significant amount of high pressure breathing gas for the scuba diver to bring with him or her when diving into the water. The term SCUBA stands for Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus named directly for its purpose.

The term diving cylinder is the technical term for the tank as referred to by engineers, specialists or individuals who speak British English. On the other hand, the terms scuba tank or diving tank are the more commonly used names for those who use American English. Contrary to the common mistake of calling these devices as "oxygen tanks", these tanks are ideally meant to contain breathing gas that is composed of a mixture - not necessarily pure oxygen. As a matter of fact, oxygen is only included in the breathing gas for the tank in special cases.

Furthermore, these diving cylinders are not always used alone, but rather used as in pairs or more in aid in the entire SCUBA diving experience which may vary based on circumstance. For example, divers who go to warm recreational bodies of water usually bring only one scuba tank for the reasons that they don't need too much oxygen support and that it would better allow them to move around if they carry only one tank. This applies to tourists who want to go diving to see corals or tropical fish where they don't really need that much decompression. On the other hand, more professional diving activities like underwater explorations where divers need to go deep into the water or when the water is really cold require divers to bring along with them more than one breathing source.

Scuba tanks aren't also used solely for breathing underwater, especially in the case of decompression diving or more serious diving activities. When bringing more than one cylinder, divers fill their other cylinders with other gas mixtures for other purposes. First, there is the reserve gas tank in case of emergencies. Then there are travel and bottom gases, which are used for the diver to control pressure breathing when ascending or descending into deeper waters and staying on the seabed. There are also other uses for the device, all of which are designed to aid the diver.

Because of this, scuba tanks are very important for every kind of diver there is. If anything, diving would hardly be possible at all.

Manuel Wiggins is an accomplished niche website developer and author.

To learn more about scuba tanks visit Learn Scuba Diving Now for current articles and discussions.

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The Best Scuba Diving BCD For You

June 16, 2008 By

By Eli Del

If you love scuba diving and are serious about it as a hobby, you need your own BCD. It does not matter if you are just starting your certification classes or if you have been diving for years, there is nothing more comforting than be familiar with your scuba equipment and feeling confident that you will not comes across any sticky situations. When you have a BCD that you can call your own, you will feel this way. We know that there are hundreds of different options and that it is hard to know which BCD to pick. We have put together a list of the best brands and styles so that you do not have to waste hours doing your own research.

The first BCD that you should consider is the Seasoft Pro. The Seasoft Pro is a jacket style BCD that is completely adaptable. That's right, everything is modifiable! You could be below average height or way above average and this BCD will change to fit your body! Seasoft has an original system of using the BCD's air pocket to permit you to make the sides shorter or longer without accumulating any extra material. The Pro has managed to climb it's way to top of almost ever BCD review because Seasoft keeps developing excellenct BCDs like this one!

The next BCD that is worth the investment is the Zeagle Ranger. The Ranger has a great reputation and has been the traditional BCD for Zeagle for a long time. It is very sturdy and well built because it is made out of tough and resistant ballistic nylon. This BCD is also very adjustable and it is easy to take it apart and swap out any piece that you might need to fix. The Zeagle also has an integrated weight system and it can be used with numerous cylinders. There are also a lot of extra bonus parts that can be attached to the Zeagle, such as rear weight pockets. Check out the Zeagle and you might find your new BCD.

Another good option is the Oceanic Outrigger HLT BCD, which is a revolutionary low-profile, rear inflation BCD. The coolest part is the patented flow-through High Lift Transfer (HLT) system, which moves the buoyant raise from the back bladder to a 15-pound front bladder for an easy surface flotation. Many experienced divers believe that a rear inflation design is the way to go because it provides liberty of movement and positioning underwater. The HLT system is why the Outrigger is at the top of our BCD review.

Last but certainly not least is the Seaquest Pro Unlimited, which comes with roomy weight-integrated pockets that allow the diver to house the weight load needed for thicker wetsuits. This BCD includes the unique three-dimensional, expanded gusset in the bladder that provides more pick up. The Self-Adjusting Lumbar System (SLS), another Seaquest patented item, is very comfortable. Extra touches are the integrated console retractor and the Wenoka Squeeze Lock knife attached to the accessory pockets. The most ground-breaking feature is the adjustable Back Pack, which allows you to modify your jacket's fit to change to your height needs. All of these features are the reason why the Seaquest Pro Unlimited is on our BCD review.

We hope that the above summaries have been helpful and have save you hours of surfing the internet and driving to dive shops to look at BCDs. We know how busy your day and the least we can do is share our knowledge so that you will know what the best BCD is.

Find the best BCD deals here!

Eli Del

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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.

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How to choose scuba diving equipment – selecting a scuba mask

May 24, 2008 By

When selecting a scuba mask it is essential that it fits your face well to ensure that it is both comfortable and leak free. Without a good seal against the face you may spend much of your time clearing the mask of water, while an uncomfortable mask detracts from your diving experience – both lead to enjoying your dives less but because they distract you from your environment they are also potentially unsafe.

Finding a mask that fits your face well is a simple matter and can be tested with the following three-step procedure:

1. Place the mask on your face but with the strap placed out of the way.
2. Inhale slightly through the nose so that the slight vacuum holds the mask on your face.
3. Test the fit by gently moving your head and it should remain in place if you gently try and pull it away from your face.

At the end of this test you will have determined whether a scuba mask fits your face well or not, so now it is time to examine other features.

Style

Most masks on the market today have low internal volume, which means that the mask is more comfortable to use since the diver won't experience much mask squeeze during the dive. This style of mask is now usual and features a pocket for the nose that protrudes forward of the lenses and as well as low volume the large lenses allow for a wider field of view, but models to look for include Cressi Big-Eyes, although it is not suitable for all face shapes.

Colour

This is purely a matter of personal preference and you may not have any preference at all. The traditional colour for masks, and all dive equipment in fact, was black due to the use of neoprene. These days silicone is used instead for masks, which is more flexible and less susceptible to sun damage. Silicone can be supplied transparent or in a multitude of shades due to the use of colouring agents, but many people still choose black. However, some people claim masks made with transparent silicone give better visibility due to the greater amount of light allowed to enter.

Skirt

High quality scuba masks feature a silicone skirt that thins towards the edge, allowing for a better and more comfortable fit against the skin of the face. Often you'll see a second skirt inside the upper edge of the skirt that allows a better seal. Its absence at the bottom is to allow water to drain more easily from inside the mask.

Strap

There are many occasions when you'll need to adjust your mask strap and so ensure that you find the mask easy to adjust. If you wear gloves when diving then make sure you can adjust it quickly and easily with gloves on. And while on the subject of mask straps, remember to always carry a spare – it is one of the more common equipment failures and the lack of a spare may mean you have to remain on the boat when everyone else is enjoying the submarine world.

Those are the most important factors to consider both when buying a new scuba mask or using rental equipment from a dive centre. By ensuring a good fit you ensure your own comfort and safety while a combination of the other factors will mean you get many happy years of service from your scuba mask.

About the Author: For more information on diving equipment including scuba masks see http://www.CostaBravaScubaDiving.com .

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