Copyright © Philip M. Parker, INSEAD. Terms of Use.

Scuba

Definition: Scuba

Scuba

Noun

1. A device (trade name Aqua-Lung) that lets divers breathe under water; scuba is acronym for Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus.

Source: WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
 

 

Specialty Definition: Scuba

DomainDefinition

Sports & Leisure

It is a manufactured word, made up of the initial letters of the description < Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus". Source: European Union. (references)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

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Specialty Definition: Scuba diving

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

SCUBA is an acronym for Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. In short, scuba diving is an underwater activity practiced with the help of a system or an apparatus (usually a tank and air pressure regulator) able to provide a reserve of gas (usually air) in order to allow the diver to breathe air during the immersion.

CAUTION: USE Wikipedia AT YOUR OWN RISK

History

See also Timeline of underwater technology.

The first known use of air tanks is in Italy, 15th century: Leonardo da Vinci affirmed in his Atlantic Codex (Biblioteca Ambrosiana, Milan) that systems were used at that time to artificially breathe under water, but he did not explain them in detail due to what he described as "bad human nature", that would have taken advantage of this technique to sink ships and even commit murders. Some drawings, however, showed different kinds of snorkels and an air tank (to be carried on the breast) that presumably should have no external connections. Other drawings showed a complete immersion kit, with a plunger suit which included a sort of mask with a box for air. The project was so detailed that it included a urine collector, too.

After Leonardo's studies, and those of Halley (yes, the astronomer), in the 19th century August Siebe invented a sort of apparatus but still not completely independent of external air. His studies were perfected by the Frenchman Joseph Cabirol and later, more incisively, by Benoit Rouquayrol and Auguste Denayrouze, who added the first modern air tank.

In 1906 the first decompression tables ("quote decompression method") were released.

In 1915 Sir Robert Davis invented the "Submarine escape apparatus", by which a compressed oxygen bottle could be opened in water in case of need, sending air to mouth. Used air could be then expelled to a filtering "false lung" from where it is finally lost.

In 1925 Yves Le Prieur invented another better developed apparatus in 1933, working with compressed air. It could permit a 20 minute stay at -7 meters and 15 minutes at -15 (these data appear however to be re-checked).

In 1941, during WWII, these experimental apparatuses were used for one of the best known and most spectacular war actions: Italian "Decima Mas" (elite navy corps at the orders of commander Junio Valerio Borghese) entered at nighttime the port of Alexandria, Egypt, in immersion. They used special underwater vehicles ("maiali" = pigs) and breathing apparatus, and were able to silently attach miness on the bottom of the ships, that later were effectively sunk.

In July of 1943 the Frenchman Georges Comheines was able to reach -53 meters (~174 feet), off the coast of Marseille, with a two-bottles apparatus he had developed from Le Prieur's one. Immersion lasted 2 minutes (apparently out of decompression tables).

In the following October, Frédéric Dumas reached -62 meters (~200 feet), with the apparatus co-invented by Jacques Cousteau and Emile Gagnan and named Aqua-lung.

In 1958 the TV series SEA HUNT, introduced SCUBA diving to the TV audience.

Movies have also popularized the sport. SCUBA diving is featured in many James Bond films.

Nitrogen Narcosis Information

The maximum safe depth for normal scuba gear with normal air in the tank is certainly within 50 meters (~150 feet), beyond which nitrogen narcosis becomes an almost certain danger. Onset of narcosis is dependent on the workload, the physical conditions, and training of the diver but also depends on variable gas concentration in blood and lungs, that might change very suddenly with minimum changes of vertical speed (descent). Risk factors are different for each individual, and cannot therefore be reliably foreseen: the appearance of narcosis can be very rapid and faster than the capability of the diver to recognize it. Narcosis will also disappear once you ascend to shallower depth.

It is vital to remember that an accident can occur even in the very first meter of immersion, depending on personal conditions and hazards; every statistical report about accidents demonstrate that claimed "safe ranges" are nothing more than a rough recording of some data (episodically and not organically collected) with no scientific confirmation.

Diving can be an experience capable of producing unique emotions, but only with complete respect of safety rules. Any accident in water, even the "lightest" one, can bring to death to the untrained diver. The rising numbers of deaths in the early years of scuba forced training organisations of come up with minimum standards of training.

Some say that it could be possible to learn how to tolerate narcosis (allegedly, same as with alcohol), but disconcerting doubts cannot allow this statement to be released so easily without at least the mention that nothing and no one can seriously ensure that you will be able to reach again the surface if a similar accident happens, effective known rescues generally having depended on highly hazardous and quite randomized factors.

If Enriched Air Nitrox is used, additional serious risks come from oxygen toxicity. Diving on pure oxygen becomes toxic at a depth of merely 10 ft. Breathing mixes become dangerous when the partial pressure of oxygen reaches 1,4-1,6 bar. Some people consider 1,2 bar dangerous pressure (and some others suggest never passing 0,9), that is reached at a very early depth.

Relatively "safe" deep dives over 70 meters (~210 feet) can be done by well experienced divers using Heliox or Trimix gas mixes. As with Enriched Air Nitrox, special training is obligatory. These depths are however in a range that could recommend a boat-assisted immersion for a different air provision system, such as pneumatic pumps on surface.

Scuba diving requires training, and nobody should consider attempting to dive without professional instruction. Even experienced divers should never dive alone, but instead have a companion (or more) in sight.

Major deadly risk factors include:

Major diving diseases include: "Decompression sickness" ("the bends") is caused by ascending from deep depths too quickly. Nitrogen from the air breathed dissolves in the blood at depth, and as the diver ascends, the nitrogen is released from the blood and forms bubbles throughout the diver's bloodstream, with painful and often fatal results. The prevention is to surface slowly from all dives, so that nitrogen can "de-gass" from the diver's blood without forming bubbles. Divers also ensure adequate de-gassing by performing one or more "safety stops" after long or deep dives, in which the diver hovers at a prescribed depth for a prescribed amount of time before actually surfacing. Dive Tables (and dive computers which use the tables) are used to calculate maximum bottom time, and recommend additional safety stops.

Things to do underwater

Scuba Glossary

; Skin: a lycra suit worn by a diver in warm water or under a wet suit. ; Surface interval: the time between dives. divers need to track this time interval for planning the next dive. ; Time to fly: Divers must wait approx. 24 hours after the last dive before flying. ; Wall diving : Scuba diving along the face of a vertical wall ; Shore diving: Scuba diving that starts from the shore line ; Buddy System: Two divers that dive together as a team for safety ; Trash dive: a dive dedicated to removing trash from the underwater environment ; Divemaster: A professional level diver who is in charge of the dive. ; Beach master: A person on the beach who records when divers enter and exit the water. Typically used during scuba classes to keep track of the students, watch the gear, provide assistance when required. ; C-card: Certification card (proof of training or experience) ; Log Book: List of the dives a diver has recorded for proof of experience. ; Dive Tables: Give the maximum times that can be spent at depth, and pauses needed during ascent, before Decompression sickness becomes a danger. ; Navy Tables : A set of dive tables developed by the US Navy. Used by early divers as a method to determine maximum time and depth. ; Dive Shop : supplier of dive equipment or training, or organizer of dive expeditions. ; Dive Flag : Flag used by a boat to indicate that it has 'divers down'. Comes in two versions: the international (international code letter flag 'A', ) and the American (red flag with white diagonal, ), introduced by Ted Nixon in 1956. Boats must maintain a minimum distance away from the flag. Personal water craft pose a hazard to divers, and sadly few operators do know what a dive flag is. Some believe it is turn marker. If you observe a personal water craft operating to close to a dive flag contact the lake patrol. ; Hard Hat diving: A term for commercial divers. Refers to the old style brass helmet tethered divers used to wear. ; Dive club: a group of people with an interest in SCUBA diving ; Navy SEAL: A highly trained military diver (
http://www.sealchallenge.navy.mil/ ) ; Frogman: A slag term for scuba divers ; Fire Diving: An urban legend about a diver who is scooped up by a plane/chopper and dropped on a forest fire led someone to build a web site for the fictitious sport of Firediving

Training and Certification

Becoming a scuba diver requires training. Dive training organisations can be found throughout the world, and in very large numbers in popular dive spots. A good dive training organisation will always offer courses to the standard of a recognised certification organisation, such as those listed below. Many dive shops in popular holiday locations offer courses that can teach you to dive in a few days, and can be combined with your vacation.

Initial training can be broken down into three phases.

Upon completing the course the student is issued a certification card.

Many of the activities mentioned above require additional training to be done safely.

Certifying dive organizations include:

Other organizations:

Other: ACUC, ANIS, CEDIP, DIWA, ESA, FIAS, FIPS, IADS, IAHD, IDD, NASE, PDA, PSA, SUSV, TDI, TSA, VDST, VDTL, VIT, YMCA, ÖSPV

External links

Popular locations for SCUBA diving

Equipment Manufacturers

Equipment used in scuba diving


A diver in a pool wearing a full face mask from AGA and a twin 6 liter 300 bar tank rig.
All modern regulators consists of two stages. The first stage attaches to the tank and reduces the tank pressure to aprox. 1 MPa obove ambient pressure. This intermediate pressure gas is lead through a hose to the second stage witch in turn reduces the gas pressure to ambient pressure. Earlier models of regulators had the two stages combined into one. Air was supplied to the diver via a large corrugated hose to the divers mouth piece. Exhaled gas returned via a second hose back to the regulator where it was released into the water.

Works just as the "dry" versions. Often worn on the forearm, just as a clock.

Movies that feature Scuba Diving

Scuba Magazines

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Abbreviations & Acronyms: Scuba

The following table is compiled from various sources, across various languages. When English abbreviations or acronyms come from a non-English source, this is noted.
EntrySourceExpressionField

SCUBA

EnglishSub-millimeter Common User Bolometer ArrayGeography

Source: compiled by the editor, based on several corpora (additional references).

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Synonym: Scuba

Synonym: aqualung (n). (additional references)

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Crosswords: Scuba

English words defined with "scuba": aeroembolism, air embolism, Aqua-Lunggas embolismscuba diver, scuba diving. (references)
Specialty definitions using "scuba": buddy systemPILOT, SUBMERSIBLEsubmarine worker. (references)

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Modern Usage: Scuba

DomainUsage

Screenplays

Jill, could you come for a brief scuba in my think tank (Drop the Dead Donkey; writing credit: Andy Hamilton; Guy Jenkin)

Movie/TV Titles

Scuba Duba Do (1966)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

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Commercial Usage: Scuba

DomainTitle

Books

  • DAN Pocket Guide to First Aid for Scuba Diving (reference)

  • Exploring Underwater: The Sierra Club Guide to Scuba and Snorkling (reference)

  • I thought I saw Atlantis : reminiscences of a pioneer skin & scuba diver (reference)

  • Monsters Don't Scuba Dive (reference)

  • Scuba Diving (reference)

    (more book examples)

  

Periodicals

  

Theater & Movies

  

Music

  

High Tech

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

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Image Slideshow: Scuba

Photos:
Scuba

More pictures...

Illustrations:
Scuba

More pictures...

Computer Images:
Scuba

More pictures...

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Photo Album: Scuba

ThumbnailDescription & CreditThumbnailDescription & Credit

NURP dive bell used in the 1980s-- scientists prefer the freedom.of scuba. Credit: National Undersea Research Program (NURP).

Scuba locker at the shore base for the Aquarius undersea lab in St. Croix. Credit: National Undersea Research Program (NURP).

Scuba divers change out a current meter used to monitor currents in the Bahamas. Credit: National Undersea Research Program (NURP).

  

Source: pictures compiled by the editor from various references; see picture credits.

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Digital Photo Gallery: Scuba
 

"Croatia - scuba diver" by Zsuzsanna Führer
Commentary: "This photo is taken from the ship. We were near to island Krk. Diving partner is waiting for me. ."
"Underwater 1" by Eric Ertl
Commentary: "Scuba diving in Puerto Rico."

Source: photographs selected by the editor, with permission from the photographers.

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Non-Fiction Usage: Scuba

SubjectTopicQuote

Business

Basketball, golf, scuba diving, tennis, billiards, bowling, darts, softball, volleyball, and soccer are the sports that enjoy the highest popularity. (references)

Economic History

Maldives

Tourism in the Maldives is centered on beaches, scuba diving, snorkeling, and more recently, eco-tourism. (references)

Travel

Philippines

Similarly, sporting facilities such as golf courses and scuba diving sites are abundant. (references)

Ecuador

Scuba diving in the Galapagos Islands can be hazardous and is not recommended for beginners. (references)

Source: compiled by the editor from ICON Group International, Inc.; see credits.

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Usage Frequency: Scuba

"Scuba" is generally used as a noun (singular) -- approximately 91.36% of the time. "Scuba" is used about 81 times out of a sample of 100 million words spoken or written in English. Its rank is based on over 700,000 words used in the English language. Some parts-of-speech are not covered due to the samples used by the British National Corpus. (note: percents less than one-hundredth of one percent have been omitted)
Parts of SpeechPercentUsage per
100 Million Words
Rank in English
Noun (singular)91.36%7438,813
Noun (proper)8.64%7133,076
                    Total100.00%81N/A

Source: compiled by the editor from several corpora; see credits.

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Expressions: Scuba

Expressions using "scuba": scuba apparatus scuba diver scuba diving scuba gear scuba tank. Additional references.

Hyphenated Usage

Beginning with "scuba": scuba-dive, scuba-divers, scuba-diving, scuba-driver.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

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Frequency of Internet Keywords: Scuba

The following statistics estimate the number of searches per day across the major English-language search engines as identified by various trade publications. Hyperlinks lead to commercial use of the expression at Amazon.com.
 
ExpressionFrequency
per Day
ExpressionFrequency
per Day

scuba diving

9,618

discount scuba equipment

112

scuba

5,476

discount scuba

111

costa rica scuba diving

1,379

scuba vbs

111

scuba gear

1,088

scuba light

108

hawaii scuba diving

1,072

scuba nude

103

scuba diving gear

895

scuba certification

98

scuba equipment

865

cancun scuba diving

94

scuba diving vacation

653

scuba vacation

93

scuba diving equipment

644

scuba diving trip

84

caribbean scuba diving

602

scuba diving cozumel

84

scuba dive

550

scuba diving picture

79

scuba lesson

500

scuba diving travel

75

fiji scuba diving

471

scuba mask

72

scuba diving lesson

433

scuba diving certification

71

florida scuba diving

391

sherwood scuba

70

scuba diver

284

scuba pro

69

scuba tank

179

discount scuba gear

67

maui scuba

155

scuba picture

67

scuba diving thailand

143

scuba instruction

66

australia scuba diving

135

cancun scuba

63
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

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Modern Translation: Scuba

Language Translations for "scuba"; alternative meanings/domain in parentheses.

Albanian

  

skafandër autonome. (various references)

   

Bulgarian 

  

леко водолазен дихателен апарат. (various references)

   

Chinese 

  

水肺 (aqualung, Aqua-Lung). (various references)

   

Danish

  

SCUBA-lungeautomater for svømmedykkere (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus). (various references)

   

Dutch

  

vrij duiken (free diving, SCUBA-diving, self-contained air diving, self-contained diving). (various references)

   

Farsi 

  

وسیله تنفس درزیراب . (various references)

   

French

  

appareil respiratoire autonome de plongée. (various references)

   

German

  

SCUBA-Atemgerät (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus), schwimmtauchgerät, Unterwassersauerstoffapparat, tauchgerät (diving apparatus, diving gear), Lungenautomat (demand valve, lung governed demand valve, regulator, self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, valve pressure reducer), Aqualunge (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus). (various references)

   

Hungarian

  

légzőkészülék (respirator), búvárfelszerelés. (various references)

   

Italian

  

autorespiratore (aqualung). (various references)

   

Japanese Kanji 

  

スキャンロン方式 (child-rearing with frequent physical contact, door-to-door condom sales-lady, reskilling, Scanlon plan, school, school bus, school color, school zone, schooling, schoolmate, schooner, scoop, scooter, scramble, scramble race, scrambled eggs, scrap, scrap and build, scrapbook, scratch, scratch hit, scratch match, scratch noise, scratch player, scratch race, scrub, scrum, scrum half, scrummage, scuba diving, self-contained under-water breathing apparatus, skill, skillful, skills inventory system, skin, skin care, skin cream, skin diver, skin diving, skin food, skinheads, square, square dance, square neckline, square stance, squeeze, squeeze bunt, squeeze play, squid), アキレス腱 (access, access charge, access time, accessory, accident, Achilles tendon, acoustic, action, action bar, action drama, action painting, action program, action star, aqua, aqua polis, Aqualung, aquamarine, aquanaut, aquatron, calcaneal tendon, circumflex accent, city on water, one's Achilles' heel, vulnerable point). (various references)

   

Japanese Katakana 

  

スキューバ (self-contained under-water breathing apparatus), アクアラング (Aqualung). (various references)

   

Korean 

  

스쿠버. (various references)

   

Pig Latin

  

ubascay.(various references)

   

Portuguese

  

mergulho (dash, dip, dipping, dive, diving, ducking, plash, plunge, scuba diving, sinking, souse). (various references)

   

Russian 

  

скуба, акваланг (aqualung). (various references)

   

Serbo-Croatian

  

aparat za zagnjurivanje. (various references)

   

Spanish

  

escafandra autónoma (aqualung). (various references)

   

Swedish

  

luftapparat. (various references)

   

Turkish

  

skuba (aqualung), oksijen tüpü. (various references)

   

Ukrainian

  

скуба, підводне плавання зі скубою. (various references)

Source: compiled by the editor from various translation references.

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Derivations & Misspellings: Scuba

Derivations

Words beginning with "scuba": scubas. (additional references)


Misspellings

"Scuba" is suggested in spellcheckers for the following: Askiba, Scabra, scbu, scea, scibe, Scotbac, scua, scub, Scubba, scube, scumb, Scuza, Shubha, Shukbah, skub, skuba, skubba, stuba, Stubai, suba, subo, suca, ucjba. (additional references)

Source: compiled by the editor, based on several corpora (additional references).

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Rhyming with "Scuba"

# of Phoneme MatchesPronunciationWord(s) rhyming with "scuba" (pronounced skuw"bu)
3-uw" b uJuba, suba, tuba.

Source: compiled by the editor (additional references); see credits.

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Anagrams: Scuba

Scrabble® Enable2K-Verified Anagrams

Words within the letters "a-b-c-s-u"

-1 letter: cabs, cubs, scab, suba.

-2 letters: abs, bas, bus, cab, cub, sab, sac, sau, sub.

-3 letters: ab, as, ba, us.

 Words containing the letters "a-b-c-s-u"
 

+1 letter: abacus, sacbut, scubas.

 

+2 letters: abduces, abducts, aucubas, backups, bascule, because, buckras, bucksaw, chabuks, cubages, hubcaps, jacobus, rubaces, sacbuts, sackbut, sambuca, sawbuck, scumbag, subacid, subclan, subrace, succuba, sunback.

 

+3 letters: abacuses, abducens, arbuscle, bacchius, bacillus, backouts, backrush, baculums, banausic, bascules, bivouacs, bluecaps, buckrams, bucksaws, bullaces, buybacks, cambiums, caribous, causable, chabouks, chasuble, chubasco, cudbears, cutbacks, cutbanks, hackbuts, labrusca, macumbas, outbacks, runbacks, sackbuts, sambucas, saucebox, sawbucks, scabious, scabrous, scumbags, subacrid, subacute, subcaste, subcause, subclans, subclass, subraces, subscale, subspace, subtract, subvicar, subvocal, succubae, succubas, unbraces.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro.

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INDEX

1. Definition
2. Synonyms
3. Crosswords
4. Usage: Modern
5. Usage: Commercial
6. Images: Slideshow
7. Images: Photo Album
8. Images: Digital Art
9. Quotations: Non-fiction
10. Usage Frequency
11. Expressions
12. Expressions: Internet
13. Translations: Modern
14. Abbreviations
15. Acronyms
16. Derivations
17. Rhymes
18. Anagrams
19. Bibliography


  

Copyright © Philip M. Parker, INSEAD. Terms of Use.