Scuba diving is a sport, pastime or activity that has participants throughout the world.
The basic concept of Scuba Diving is submersing yourself underwater for prolonged periods of time without the need to come back to the surface for air. This is achieved with the help of specialist diving equipment such as Oxygen Tanks, Air Regulators and Dry Suits.
People scuba dive for all kinds of reasons, for leisure, for sport and also for commercial purposes like boat repairs, treasure seeking and rig construction amongst many others.
Generally speaking scuba diving for leisure or sport purposes normally takes place in the hotter parts of the world where the climate is more conducive for underwater activities. Some of the best diving places in the world are in Australia, Thailand and the Seychelles. The water in these Countries tends to be warmer and a lot clearer which gives the divers a much more enjoyable experience and enables them to have a much better view of the amazing underwater sites.
Obviously Scuba Diving is not restricted to these areas, as long as you have the right diving equipment, you can practically Scuba Dive in any body of water in any part in the world. Although personally, diving in the middle of the Irish Sea on a cold winters morning probably wouldn’t be too much fun.
Since the very first person stuck a pair of oxygen tanks on his back and fell off the side of a boat, the diving gear used has been constantly developing. In fact the history of diving dates back to around 100AD when the very first divers would use hollow reeds and dive for food and treasures.
The Persians took the concept slightly further in the 1300’s by developing goggles made from sea or turtle shells. These shells were highly polished enabling the divers to see clearly underwater without damaging their eyes.
I t wasn’t until the middle of the 18th century that John Smeaton was credited with inventing a device allowing air to be pumped to the diver via a barrel shaped contraption which the diver submersed himself in when attempting to go underwater. Although the concept worked on principal, unfortunately for the diver, the oxygen ran out very quickly and in many cases ended in death.
It took another 150 years for the rigid diving suit to come into force, invented by Harry Houdini for one of his spectacular magic shows. Although the suit served a purpose (Stopping Harry from drowning I’m guessing) it was far too impractical for everyday use. Eventually the diving equipment in use today derives from a combination of many inventions including Henry Fleuss’s closed circuit oxygen rebreather and the William James Iron Belt which was shaped like a cylinder which we now know as oxygen tanks.
Here at Scubatrader.co.uk we like to think we have covered every detail when it comes to the supply of new and second hand good quality diving gear. We are sure if you look hard enough there is a product out there to suit every diving enthusiast. If you have a strong interest in the history of diving equipment, then please visit the vintage diving page and discover a hidden gem. If your new to the sport of scuba diving then please feel free to browse the other pages, we have no doubt you will pick up a bargain.
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