Scuba Equipment and its Uses

Aside from the basic equipments used in scuba diving, there are other important tools used for you safety. Scuba equipment is reliable and simple to operate.

Scuba Tanks – A scuba tank is a cylindrical metal container used to safely store high-pressure air for breathing.

Tanks come in a variety of air capacities, depending upon their pressure rating and size. Scuba tanks are either made from aluminum or steel.

Tank Valves – The tank valve turns the airflow from the tank on and off.

There are two basic types of tank valves: The K-valve, which is a simple on and off valve, and the J-valve, which has a built-in mechanism intended to warn you when tank pressure is low. The K-valve is more commonly used by divers; this is because the submersible pressure gauge which can be attached to the regulator is a more reliable way to monitor air pressure in the tank.

Regulators – A regulator is designed to reduce the high pressure air of the scuba tank to a level that is breathable. It delivers air to the diver only when the diver inhales.

The modern scuba regulator is a very simple and reliable device with only a few moving parts. They have two stages: the first stage that attaches to the scuba tank and a second stage that has a mouthpiece. Modern scuba regulators also has a fail-safe mechanism, this means that if ever a regulator malfunctions in any way it will not stop giving you air, and in fact it will give you a continuous flow of air or a free-flow.

Submersible Pressure Gauge – The submersible pressure gauge (SPG) allows you to continuously monitor the amount of air in your tank during a dive, much like a car’s gas gauge tells you how much gas you have. The SPG is mandatory equipment for all scuba diving.

Exposure Suits – Exposure suits are valuable in virtually all diving activities, and serve to reduce heat loss and to protect you from minor scrapes, stings and abrasions.

There are three basic types of exposure suits; the body suit, the wet suit and the dry suit. Depending on where you’re diving and water temperatures, each has its own features. Body suits are usually used in warm waters and primarily protect you from scratches and abrasions. Wetsuits are usually used in water as cold as 10 degrees Celsius to water as warm as 30 degrees Celsius. Dry suits are useful in water colder than 10 degrees Celsius.

Diving Knife – Diving knives are practical tools, providing you with means to measure, pry, dig, cut and pound underwater and should not be used to harm aquatic life.

Low-Pressure Inflator – The low-pressure inflator is normally an integrated part of the BCD. A low-pressure inflator allows you to inflate and deflate your BCD by the press of a button.

Remember that by just having and being familiar with all these equipments is not enough to give you a safe dive. It is also important that you know how to care and maintain your diving equipment.

There are three general maintenance procedures used in caring for all diving equipment:
• Rinse thoroughly with fresh water after each use.
• Keep out of direct sunlight.
• Store in a cool dry place.

A freshwater rinse after each use will eliminate contaminants and corrosion. After you have used your equipment in salt water, it should be soaked for several minutes in warm, freshwater to prevent the buildup of damaging salt crystals.

Because the sun's rays damage neoprene and silicone products, avoid leaving your equipment in direct sunlight. Air-dry your equipment thoroughly before storing it in a cool, dry place. In addition, masks and other diving equipment composed of silicone should be stored away from black rubber products to prevent staining of silicone.

Also, get your gear checked by a scuba diving equipment specialist at least annually.