The Way to Scuba Dive

The History of Scuba Diving – how scuba diving has become to how it is known today

Man has always held the fascination of the underwater world. The wish to spend some time in the depths of the seas and oceans had captured man’s attention. This inspired him to come up with ways and means which will enable him to explore the marine world.

Many inventors were keen to develop equipment assisting underwater exploration. Ideas and equipment developed during the 1500′s leaned towards a diving bell. This equipment was basically a bell-shaped apparatus with the bottom open to the sea. The first diving bells were large and heavy weighted to sink in a vertical position, therefore trapping enough air to allow a diver to breathe.

So let us start with the chronological events on the history of scuba diving.

The first recorded reference to an actual practical diving bell was made in 1531. However, it was within the late 1600′s that great strides were made in this technology. This meant that now divers were able to spend hours underwater.

In 1690, an English astronomer named Edmund Halley developed a diving bell in which replenished air was sent to the divers by sending weighted barrels of air down from the surface.
The next evolution in the history of scuba diving was the Deep Sea Diving suits, which at that time were referred to as the diving dress.

In 1715, an Englishman by the name of John Lethbridge developed what was to be the first diving dress. This was basically a barrel covered in leather equipped with two arm holes with water tight sleeves and a glass porthole enabling the diver to view underwater. This apparatus was lowered from a ship just the same as a diving bell.

Although several designs were used in later years, this gear still had the same limitations as the diving bell because the diver was restricted in his movements.

In 1828, John and Charles Deane developed the first revolutionary diving dress and heavy helmet which originated from helmets used by fire fighters. The helmet rested on the diver’s shoulders, held in place by its own weight and straps to a waist belt. This helmet was connected to a hose that ran to the surface and supplied the diver with constant fresh air. 

An interesting fact in the history of scuba diving is that in 1836, the Deanes issued a diver’s manual, which may be the first of its kind to ever be produced.

Although there were great advancements, the equipment developed by these pioneer inventors were limited in the fact that the diver still had to be attached to the surface via air hose thus restricting movement. The only way forward was for the diver to carry a portable self contained air supply. However during the 19th Century, the cylinders were not strong enough to hold air at high pressure.

An important fact in the history of scuba diving is the invention of the first scuba regulator which was developed by Benoit Rouquayrol. The regulator will later become the main piece of scuba equipment responsible for regulating the flow of air from the tank to meet the diver’s breathing and pressure requirements.

For the full article, visit Scuba-Snorkeling-Adventures.com under the scuba diving section of the site at http://Scuba-Snorkeling-Adventures.com/history-of-scuba-diving.html.

Copyright (c) 2010 Scuba-Snorkeling-Adventures.com. All rights reserved.

About the Author

<!– @page { margin: 0.79in } TD P { margin-bottom: 0in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } A:link { so-language: zxx } –>

kris Mifsud– A keen enthusiast, with a lifelong passion for all types of water sports.

Editor and publisher of http://Scuba-Snorkeling-Adventures.com – a comprehensive Scuba And Snorkeling guide to techniques, equipment and reviews.

scuba dive gopro 960 equipment test

Rare Indian Army Sainya Seva Medal Named Clasp B&A FREE shipping $0.00

A568 Japan Korea Fashion Pink Crochet Hollow Kimono Sleeve Knit Shawl Outerwear $0.00

TRANSFORMERS Decepticons Megatron Pendant Necklace A37 $0.00

Vintage Plate with Springloaded Hanger by The Edwin M. Knowles China Co. U.S.A. $0.00

Aretha Franklin GER 7″ w pic/slv “Rock-A-Lott” $0.00

Antique Bronze Golfer Hitting a Golf Ball Pocket Watch $0.00

Black ink Cartridge for HP 940XL C4906A officejet pro 8000 8500 Printer+glue sti $0.00

NEW replacement battery Motorola SNN5683 i560 A760 i85 V551 i95 i60 i710 i730 $0.00

Spyderco Triangle Sharpmaker Knife Sharpener $90.20 Spyderco Triangle Sharpmaker Knife Sharpener Chances are you’ve heard it said ‘a sharp knife is safer than a dull one’. We believe this quote originated from first hand experience and find it to be true. The Sharpmaker was Spyderco’s first product, which we made and sold before getting into the knife business. It’s true — First we made things sharp, then we made sharp things.The Tri-Angle Sharpma…

Stainless Steel Shark Bottle Opener Key Ring $5.00 Stainless Steel Shark Bottle Opener Key Ring Show everyone that you are a SCUBA Diver with style. Also check out our other creative diving gifts for yourself or that Scuba diver or Snorkeling Enthusiast you know….

Shark Bottle Opener and Key Chain Shark Bottle Opener and Key Chain Aluminum Shark Key Chains that can open bottles as well….

Jeppesen Sport Diver, Video 2: Using Scuba Diving Equipment and Diver Information Devices, 1e [VHS] $8.51 …

Spearfishing the Palm Beaches, Florida [VHS Video] Vol. 1 $24.99 (1 VHS Video) Follow Chad Palan as seen through the lens of Tony Ludovico’s camera while Chad hunts the reefs and wrecks of South Florida. Be part of the hunt with one of a kind footage looking down the barrel of Chad’s gun from his Active-Eye head cam. Grouper, snapper, cobia, jacks and hogfish are all taken in this action packed spearfishing video….

Tovatec Wide Angle Torch, 220 Lumens $69.90 Designed for diving and other outdoor uses, this Intova Torch offers a wide angled 43-degree beam to cover more territory. The compact, yet powerful torch offers 220 lumens of bright light with a CREE LED that provides a usable lifespan of 100,000 hours. Waterproof to 400 feet and constructed with a double O-ring sealed anodized aluminum housing, the torch can be used on deep sea dives with confid…

Deluxe Diver Tool & Repair Kit $31.29 Don’t let a loose hose fitting blow an O-ring and not have the proper tools and parts to fix it. The serious diver is always prepared to nip a dive aborting problem occur. That’s just one scenario that this kit can remedy. This kit comes in zippered pouch and includes 2 specially developed Scuba Wrenches (wrenches have 4 sizes which fit most regulator 1st stage hose attachments), high quality cres…

Scuba Diving $22.43 "Scuba Diving" provides a clear, thorough, and captivating learning experience for all who want to take the plunge. Packed with beautiful full-color photographs and detailed diving instruction, this updated edition is the preferred guide for recreational divers, diving instructors, and students around the globe. Renowned diving instructor Dennis Graver sheds light on the undersea world and how to experience it safely with essential details on skills, techniques, and planning. In "Scuba Diving," you’ll learn how to -select, outfit, and care for diving equipment; -equalize pressure in the ears, sinuses, and mask; -use dive tables and diving profiles; -follow boat-diving and buddy-check procedures for safe diving; and -prevent or manage underwater emergencies and hazards.In this new edition, "Scuba Diving" demystifies the complex topics such as gas laws and the physics and physiology of diving. As an added bonus, you’ll find recommendations on top diving sites around the world–sites ideal for divers at any level. Whether you’re a beginning or intermediate diver or diving instructor, make sure you have all the bases covered before you go underwater. "Scuba Diving" will ensure a safe, successful, and rewarding dive every time you take the plunge.

Soviet Manual of Scuba Diving $36.85 This is a translation of a scuba diving manual originally published by the publishing house of the U.S.S.R. Ministry of Defense. The manual contains information, practical recommendations and informative data on underwater exploration and repair of various types of scuba diving equipment; the technique of water safety and the execution of underwater work; medical precautions and specific illnesses of scuba divers; the method of instruction, including the technique of underwater swimming and the execution of light diving work, underwater hunting, photo- and cinematography. The manual was designated for divers of the Soviet Army and Navy and the transportation and commercial fleets. It is also of interest to a wide circle of readers interested in problems of the underwater sport.

Scuba Diving – 3rd Edition $3.94 Learning what to do, how to do it, and when to do it is essential in underwater sports. "Scuba Diving" provides a clear, thorough, and captivating educational experience for all who want to take the plunge. Packed with beautiful, full-color photographs and detailed diving instruction, this newest edition of the popular resource is the preferred guide for recreational divers, diving instructors, and students. Dennis Graver spells out the essential details of diving with clear instruction on diving equipment, skills, and planning. An expanded lifesaving section and new sections on diving history, boat diving procedures, use of computers, dive tables, and buddy check procedures are also included. Beautiful photos take you under the waves to experience the thrills of an underwater adventure unlike anything else. Whether you’re a beginning or intermediate diver or a diving instructor, you’ll enjoy the thorough instruction in this guide. "Scuba Diving" is the official manual of the global YMCA Scuba Diving Program. See why thousands of YMCA facilities in the United States and around the world have made this the diving instruction book of choice. Don’t go under the water without getting your hands on this book

Aeris Max-Depth Console $189.95 When underwater, the last thing divers should feel is a sense of doubt about their equipment’s reliability, ease-of-use, or ruggedness. The Aeris 200′ console is known for its accuracy and reliability. The Aeris depth gauge accurately reports the diver’s depth – down to 200 feet, making it ideal for a wide variety of recreational divers. Its numbers and largeface mean it is easy to read – allowing you to glance at the gauge, rather than intently study and decipher the readings. The Max-Depth Indicator follows the depth needle and stops and records the deepest depth reached on your dive. Any diver will agree that an air supply is the most important part of scuba diving – right next to water, of course. The pressure gauge included in the Aeris 200′ console won’t let you down. It accurately reports your remaining air pressure, and like the depth gauge, the pressure gauge is easy to read due to its contemporary display. Pressure gauge is also equipped with a thermometer to monitor both water and air temperature. Both gauges have luminescent dials for ease of reading in low light or night diving conditions. You’ll know you’re in good hands when you have the Aeris 200′ accompanying you on your up-coming dives.

Aiming for the Bottom: The History and Sport of Diving (Scuba, Snorkeling, Recreational and Professional) $15.64 New – Underwater exploration through diving can be accomplished through varying levels of equipment and breathing assistance. SCUBA, or self contained underwater breathing apparatus, is the most common for of assisted-breathing underwater diving. Free-diving similarly explores the depths but uses the challenge of breath-holding versus assisted-breathing devices. This book heads for the very depths of understanding the world of underwater diving, including the history of diving, diving equipment,

Aiming for the Bottom: The History and Sport of Diving (Scuba, Snorkeling, Recreational and Professional) $16.18 Used – Underwater exploration through diving can be accomplished through varying levels of equipment and breathing assistance. SCUBA, or self contained underwater breathing apparatus, is the most common for of assisted-breathing underwater diving. Free-diving similarly explores the depths but uses the challenge of breath-holding versus assisted-breathing devices. This book heads for the very depths of understanding the world of underwater diving, including the history of diving, diving equipment

Anti-frogman techniques $48 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Anti-frogman techniques are security methods developed to protect watercraft, ports and installations, and other sensitive resources both in or nearby vulnerable waterways from potential threats or intrusions by frogmen or other divers. In World War II this need for military underwater security was first shown by the achievements of frogmen against armed forces facilitie, see for example Italian frogman actions in WWII. Since the late 1950s, the increasing demand for and availability of sophisticated scuba diving equipment has also created concerns about protecting valuable underwater archaeology sites and shellfish fishing stocks. The 12 October 2000 USS Cole bombing was not carried out by underwater divers, but did bring renewed attention to the vulnerability they present for naval ships. Divers can swim 100 to 200 yards in three minutes time, and large sonar ranges would need to be established around ships in order for security forces to detect underwater swimmers in time to make a sufficient response.