Scuba Diving

Using Enriched Air Nitrox for scuba diving can greatly reduce the nitrogen load for divers, especially in repetitive dive situations. However, some precautions are necessary.

Mexico holds many exciting destinations for scuba divers, some of them not far from the border of the United States. Here's how to make sure your scuba trip by car goes without a hitch.

Spearguns are useful tools for divers and scuba divers trying to spear fish or defend themselves from sharks or larger animals who might cause them harm while they are underwater. However there...

Properly cleaning and maintaining your dive gear is essential to preserving your investment and promoting safe diving. The regulator set-up consists of a first stage that screws onto the tank and...

Scuba tanks are an essential part of the dive experience. Personal preference and diving requirements dictate which scuba tank to select. Knowing the characteristics of the types of tanks helps to...

When checking your scuba gear before a dive trip, don't forget to check the O-rings. These small but important gaskets can mean the difference between being able to dive and being forced to remain...

The cost for scuba diving gear adds up over time. Since many divers are creative and innovative by nature, dive gear and accessories can be created using commercially available material and...

Weights are required for scuba diving to enable divers to descend underwater. While necessary, weights can be expensive to purchase. Industrious divers can construct their own soft pouches...

Scuba tanks need to be filled with air before or after each dive, using an air compressor. Gases (air) expand under higher temperatures, causing an increase in pressure that decreases as the...

The sport of scuba diving has grown exponentially since its inception in the 20th century. An acronym for the phrase "self-contained underwater breathing device," scuba requires the use of...

A variety of brands and models of dive regulators are available to fit the range of divers' needs and preferences. The regulators with the most features are often in the higher price range....

A dive watch is an essential piece of equipment divers can use to track time and depth as a backup to their dive computer. Dive watches are designed to be durable in either an automatic analog or...

As with all dive gear, a well-fitting scuba mask should be properly maintained by soaking and rinsing to remove any deposits and storing in the mask box for protection. After extended use, the...

Some divers who upgrade their equipment sell outdated components, such as the regulator's second stage, to other divers. While these items may seem to be good bargains, it pays to closely...

A regulator is a scuba diver's lifeline. After a dive or a series of dives, salt can accumulate in the knobs and purge mechanism. Proper cleaning and maintenance will preserve the function of the...

Well-fitting scuba fins enable divers to efficiently move through the water, optimizing each kick with less fatigue. Scuba fins are an extension of the diver's legs and a variety of models are...

Flooding and clearing a scuba mask underwater is a fundamental skill for all divers. This skill enables divers to rinse debris from inside their mask or defog a mask without aborting a dive. Being...

The amount of weight required to safely descend at the start of a dive and to maintain a safety stop at the end of a dive is not limited to what is installed on a weight belt. Proper weighting...

Scuba diving is an exciting, and potentially dangerous, activity. If you're interested in learning how to do it, you need to be taught by competent instructors. The National Association of...

Familiarization with equipment and establishing a regular maintenance routine are habits that ensure a diver's safety. The scuba or air tank is no exception, and each scuba tank should be visually...

An air-integrated dive computer provides valuable information and safety data to a diver underwater. These types of dive computers can be attached to a high-pressure hose or worn like a...

Hookah diving uses a personal compressor to deliver air above the water rather than in a tank of compressed air (scuba tank). Hookah diving is convenient for commercial divers and others who are...

Scuba and snorkeling masks enable divers and snorkelers to comfortably keep the water out of their faces to observe the marine environment. With the right care, a properly fitting scuba mask lasts...

Scuba diving is a safe and relaxing sport, although given the inherent dangers of humans swimming far below the surface of a lake or ocean, it is critical that divers follow proper safety...

Each scuba tank is rated for a specific pressure (e.g., 3000 psi) and maximum pressure capacity. Air compressors to refill scuba tanks can include a water bath to cool tanks.

Dive professionals undergo trained to safely lead scuba divers in exploring a dive site. Dive master training involves learning to prepare for dive-related emergencies and how to monitor divers...

PADI and many certifying agencies describe scuba certification as a passport to adventure. Completing training for scuba certification and receiving a C-card are achievements. C-cards are required...

Mexico is a desirable dive destination because of its temperate climate and access to the reefs around the Yucatan Peninsula. Taking your own dive gear to Mexico is economical and provides the...

One of the first things that a scuba diver will learn during a dive certification course is how to put together the equipment. While some dive companies will happily put the gear together for you,...

Purchasing used scuba equipment is an economical way to outfit oneself for a sport that is equipment intensive. When doing so, however, there are some precautions that should be taken to ensure...

A scuba tank, or cylinder, is a major investment for a scuba diver, ranging in price from $100 to more than $500. If the scuba tank isn't stored properly, moisture can enter the tank and cause...

Scuba tanks require yearly internal visual inspections for signs of corrosion. They also require a hydrostatic pressure test every 5 years to check the integrity of the tank under pressure. The...

When cleaning your scuba regulator it is important to be sure that no water gets up to the first stage of the regulator, which attaches to the tank, as this can cause corrosion and bacteria. Some...

One of the many things that scuba divers are taught when getting their dive certification is how to maintain their equipment. Salt deposits can be extremely damaging to SCUBA gear. The best way...

Dive flags (sometimes called "diver down flags") come in two types. Many state waters, such as rivers and lakes, allow the use of the popular red and white flag, but only the blue and white...

Anyone who is moderately serious about scuba diving as a hobby or pastime should invest in a dive computer. Having your own dive computer can help you stay safe while diving as well as give you...

When you buy a brand new dive mask, it comes with a thick film which is designed to protect the silicone when the product is being shipped. If you were to dive with the film still on your mask,...

Wet suits are used for swimming in cold water or scuba diving. The wet suit provides a layer of warmth against the chill of the water. When you try on a wet suit for the first time, it will likely...

Airlie Beach is a small town in Queensland, Australia. If you like to scuba dive, you'll find Airlie Beach an ideal base. It is a popular launching spot for visitors to take boat trips out to the...

Scuba diving instructors have extensive experience in diving and practical knowledge about the sport and its effects on the human body. They share their enthusiasm and dedication by teaching,...

Scuba diving is one of the few sports that has a built-in limit: You can dive only as long as you have air in your tanks. But compressed air is a critical life-support supply, so although you...

Scuba gear is the set of equipment needed for scuba diving. It is comprised of breathing apparatus and a collection of other equipment to assist in underwater maneuverability and comfort.

North America is blessed with some great dive sites, from the warm and clear waters of Florida to the chillier but no less thrilling marine environment of the Pacific Northwest. With so many dive...

A coral reef is formed when coral polyps, small tubelike organisms with mouths and tentacles, attach to a hard surface in the ocean or along an island's edge. These polyps secrete calcium...

Scuba gear should be cleaned and dried at the end of each day's dive to prevent salt buildup and reduce bacteria. A simple, mild bleach solution can be prepared quickly for disinfecting your dive...

Scuba diving is an exciting sport that enables water enthusiasts to explore the underwater environment. In order to rent equipment for scuba diving, proof of certification is required to show you...

While in theory it is possible to go scuba diving anywhere there is a decent body of water, in reality, a good dive depends on the site offering a couple of factors. The visibility needs to be...

Salt water SCUBA diving provides an exhilarating experience. Avid divers are particular about their equipment because it is their life line. Continuing the diving experience safely requires a...

Recreational scuba diving certifications are issued by many different agencies for those that want to work as divers or for personal enjoyment. There are many levels that will prepare you for...

Metabolic syndrome is a name given to a group of risk factors appearing in one person. These include abdominal obesity, blood sugar and blood fat issues, and high blood pressure, along with other...