Scuba diving is swimming under water while using a under water breathing apparatus. Scuba stands for Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. By using an under water breathing device a swimmer can stay under water longer. Scuba diving originated from under water warfare during World War II.

Types of Diving

Recreational diving-diving for recreation or leisure

Public Safety Diving-diving for the purpose of public safety

Cave Diving-diving, which enables the exploration of caves, filled with water.

Cavern Diving-penetrating and diving under ice conditions under water.

Wreck Diving-type of diving where a diver explores ship wrecks under the water

Commercial Diving-type of diving where a diving is paid for his or her work.

Breathing Under Water

When diving the pressure from the water is very hard on the body and lungs. Hence the pressure from the inhaled breath must exactly counter the surrounding or ambient pressure in order to properly inflate the lungs. Regardless of depth moder day regulators help divers breath with comfort.

Injuries

Various injuries can occur at times even to the most prepared and cautious divers. One such problem is barotraumas. This is where a diver can have a rupture ear drums or sinuses. To over this problem a diver can do two things. They can pinch there nose and gentle exhale which is called the Valsalva maneuver or they can use the throat muscle and do a swallowing motions which is called the Frensel maneuver.

Effects of Breathing Gas

The bends or decompression sickness is when air bubbles formulate in the blood of a person. To avoid this a diver releases water pressure slowly at the end of a dive. This is accomplished by ascending slowly from the water. It one is subjected to the bends then they must be treated right away in a decompression chamber.