“This scuba diver uses his fins to move through the water.”
More Scuba Vocabulary and Scuba Diving Facts:
- The word “scuba” is an acronym for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.
- The modern open-circuit scuba design most divers use today, called the “Aqua-Lung”, was developed by Jacques Cousteau and Émile Gagnan in 1943.
- Divers must ascend slowly and take safety stops to avoid “the bends” (decompression sickness), a dangerous condition caused by rising too quickly.
- Most recreational scuba dives stay within about 18 to 40 metres, though the deepest scuba dive ever recorded went beyond 300 metres.
- Wetsuits work by trapping a thin layer of water against the skin, which the body then warms up, helping keep divers warm underwater.
Talking About The Deep:
- Submerged (Adjective): Completely underwater.
- Weightless (Adjective): Having no apparent weight.
- Tranquil (Adjective): Calm and peaceful.
- Murky (Adjective): Dark and unclear, often referring to water.
- Buoyant (Adjective): Able to float or stay afloat.
- Aquatic (Adjective): Relating to water.
Diving has given English a fitting expression, too. If you’re ‘out of your depth‘, it means you’re in a situation beyond your ability to handle – just like a diver who has gone deeper than they’re trained for! It’s a similar feeling to having to tread water in a difficult situation.
In the News
Spotted in the newsWhat Are the Bends in Scuba Diving? – PADIblog.padi.comFrequently Asked Questions
What does “scuba” stand for?
Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.
What is “the bends” in diving?
Decompression sickness – a dangerous condition that can occur if a diver ascends too quickly.
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