Skills you will learn as an apprentice to a basic open water course include the proper and efficient use of scuba equipment. The set of scuba gear and equipment typically used during dives was designed not only to prolong bottom times, but also to facilitate mobility, counteract drag, and help achieve neutral buoyancy, making the diver move and see as if you were on the ground.

Knowing the functionality of each scuba equipment will give you a proper perspective in terms of its maintenance. So, how important is each and every one of the equipment used in diving? Let’s go over the relevant functionalities set in scuba equipment.

Breathe underwater. Divers can use any of 2 types of breathing systems underwater: (a) the open-circuit scuba and (b) the closed-circuit scuba. The commonly used open-circuit scuba set consists of a scuba cylinder containing compressed air and a regulator assembly that attenuates high-pressure air from the tank for comfortable inhalation. A closed-circuit scuba set, meanwhile, refers to a device called a rebreather that efficiently recycles the air exhaled by the diver and maintains it at a standard pressure. An open-circuit scuba is considered safer and easier to use, while rebreathers are often left to professional divers.

Diving instructors also recommend the use of a snorkel when near the surface to conserve air. Snorkel devices are often included with scuba masks, such as H2Odyssey’s line of MS-12 and SS-6 masks, which retail with a flexible snorkel. For kids, the H2Odyssey Junior PVC Mask and Snorkel Combo is a good buy.

Body protection. Wetsuits are equipped with different torso and limb dimensions, as well as additional spandex panels for optimal flexibility, to withstand different types of underwater conditions. Two-piece or farmer John style wetsuits are good for cold water temperatures. Short wetsuits, which cover half the arms and legs, are recommended for use in warm water environments. Meanwhile, full-body wetsuits like the Aeris Rio .5 are designed to be flexible and can be used in hot or cold water temperatures. Because it covers the entire body, wetsuits of this type provide protection against jellyfish stings and abrasion from sharp objects underwater.

Underwater mobility. In addition to the invention of a breathing apparatus for underwater diving, the genius of man has found a way to counteract the underwater forces exerted on a physical body and allow easy movement despite the encounter of pressure and drag.

Buoyancy Compensation Devices (BCDs) are used to maintain the diver’s position at particular depths and control his ascent or descent. Weight systems are also BCD-equipped (stored in special built-in weight bags or worn like a belt) to help control the diver’s vertical position in the water column. To counteract the underwater resistance increased by the wear of the diving equipment. [http://www.scubasuppliers.com], scuba fins are used to provide excellent thrust allowing the diver to move efficiently underwater. There is also the availability of diver propulsion vehicles that serve as the ultimate means of transportation underwater.