Scuba Systems

Although scuba diving has been around for more than 50 years, it was in the last two decades that the equipment evolved into the effective, reliable and streamlined package you use today. You're going to find scuba equipment easy to use, reliable and comfortableThe modern scuba unit consists of three basic components the BCD, the scuba tank (with valve) and the regulator. Let's look at each, beg-inning with the BCD.

As you read earlier. the aptly-named buoy-ancy control device, or BCD, is an expandable bladder that you inflate or deflate to regulate your buoyancy. You can do this orally, using air from vour lungs, though most of the time you'll use apressure inflator, which inflates the BCD with air directly from your tank. To decrease buo,yancr, You deflate the BCD through a hose or valve.

Besides allowing you to re,-ulatevour buoyancy under-water, the BCD provides positive buoyancy for resting, swimming or lending assistance to others. As you might imagine, it's considered standard equipment mandatoryfor scuba diving.

There are three basic BCD stvles front-mounted, back mounted and jacket-style. Of these, recreational divers by far most commonly use the jacket style. It wears like a sleeveless coat, holding your tank in place as well as providing buoyancy control.
It's unusual to see a front-mounted BCD any more, although this is the original BCD design. It looks somewhat like a life vest, worn over the head, and requires a separate backpack for the tank.

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Dive Equipment Equipment Identification Fins Give Preview Introduction Padi Open Water Pressure and Your Body Regulators Scuba Systems

Scuba Tanks SnorkelsSubmersible Pressure Succed Course The Effects of Increased Air Density The Effects Pressure The Underwater World The Buddy System Valve Types