Beneath our oceans, lakes and other bodies of water, there are underwater wonders that few people get to see. Snorkeling is good for shallow diving, but it is no substitute for deep exploring. Scuba (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) diving equipment allows divers to breathe underwater, as deep as the human body can withstand.
Although diving is a good source of exercise and adventure, divers must be aware of the inherent dangers associated with it. Although many people think of underwater creatures as dangerous, most deaths and injuries are self-inflicted. These situations can be avoided with proper training and appropriate scuba diving gear. Even though scuba-rental places require certification to rent equipment out, some people find loopholes and dive without the proper education. One of the most common (and very potentially-fatal) injuries is caused by decompression sickness, or the bends.
To understand the importance of scuba diving gear, it is good know a little bit about pressure. While underwater, the body of a diver experiences incredible pressure. For example, on dry land at sea level, the pressure on a body is 14.7 PSI (pounds per square inch), also known as 1 atmosphere - this is considered to be normal pressure. Since water is compressed, it exerts much more pressure. Diving to 33 feet will contract human lungs to half their size. Since there is twice as much pressure at that depth, the lungs will shrink to accommodate for the space. Once a diver surfaces again, the lungs go back to their normal size.
The air in scuba tanks has to have the same pressure as the water surrounding it, or it won't come out. When the gas is released, it is dissolved in the water. However, when it rises, it forms bubbles and expands - much like a carbonated beverage. When a diver is submerged underwater, breathing air from their scuba diving gear, some amount of nitrogen (a gas that makes up the breathing air) becomes dissolved in the bloodstream. If a diver ascends to the surface quickly, it's much like opening a bottle of soda in bloodstream - the nitrogen expands and causes extreme pain and even death.
This is the source of decompression sickness. As stated before, it is also known as "the bends."
To avoid the bends, a diver has to take intermittent stops while rising - this allows the gas to leave the bloodstream gradually. During certification, divers learn the correct intervals to ascend safely, but there is convenient scuba diving gear that makes this easier. Dive computers are becoming more common; before, waterproof dive-tables were needed to calculate the safe rising-time. Although dive computers are more expensive, the convenience they offer is invaluable. If a diver suffers decompression sickness, they must spend time in a decompression chamber that matches the underwater chamber - which is an awful way to end a good day of underwater exploration.
Decompression sickness is only one danger of diving. Malfunctioning scuba diving gear and running out of air can cause drowning. By renting equipment from reputable companies that require certification, there should be no problem with the quality of the gear.
Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for Web sites on gardening, parenting, recreation, and home decor. Her background also includes teaching, gardening, and fashion. For more of her useful articles on scuba diving, please visit Dive Equipment, home to useful information on scuba diving gear and much more.
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