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{{short description|Equipment used to facilitate underwater diving}}
The fundamental piece of [[SCUBA]] diving equipment used by divers is the breathing equipment.
{{Further|Equipment}}
{{Infobox diving equipment
|name = Diving equipment
|image = Commercial diving equipment at Eudi Show 2006 adventurediving.it.jpg
|alt = Two display dummies dressed in surface supplied diving equipment at a dive trade show
|caption = Surface supplied commercial diving equipment on display at a trade show
|acronym =
|other_names = Dive gear
|uses = Facilitate underwater diving operations
|inventor =
|manufacturer =
|model =
|related =
}}


'''Diving equipment''', or '''underwater diving equipment''', is [[equipment]] used by [[Underwater diving|underwater divers]] to make diving activities possible, easier, safer and/or more comfortable. This may be equipment primarily intended for this purpose, or equipment intended for other purposes which is found to be suitable for diving use.
There are two types of 'Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus':
* the [[Aqua-Lung]] - a system consisting of a tank or [[diving cylinder]] of compressed gas and [[diving requlator]] that supplies the diver with [[breathing gas]] at ambient pressure. This type of SCUBA equipment is known as 'open circuit' because exhaled gas is lost to the environment.
* the [[Rebreather]] - supplies the diver with [[breathing gas]] from a [[diving cylinder]] and a [[diving requlator]] but recycles the exhaled gas to economise on gas consumption. This type of SCUBA equipment is known as 'closed circuit'.


The fundamental item of diving equipment used by divers other than [[Freediving|freedivers]], is '''underwater breathing apparatus''', such as [[Scuba set|scuba equipment]], and [[surface-supplied diving]] equipment, but there are other important items of equipment that make diving safer, more convenient or more efficient. Diving equipment used by [[Recreational diving|recreational scuba divers]], also known as scuba gear, is mostly personal equipment carried by the diver, but [[Professional diving|professional divers]], particularly when operating in the surface supplied or [[Saturation diving|saturation mode]], use a large amount of support equipment not carried by the diver.
==Other Equipment worn by [[SCUBA]] divers==


Equipment which is used for underwater work or other activities which is not directly related to the activity of diving, or which has not been designed or modified specifically for underwater use by divers is not considered to be diving equipment.
* Mask
** non purge
** purge valve
** single lens
** split lens
** full face - the diver in the first photo is wearing an AGA full face mask
** other category
*** hard hat
* [[swimfin|Fins]]
** modern fins come in many shapes and colors
** open heel type
*** [[image:Scuba-fins1.JPG]]


==Classes of underwater breathing apparatus==
* Snorkel
{{main|Underwater breathing apparatus}}
** used by divers when swimming at the surface, worn on the left side of the mask.
The diving mode is largely defined by the type of breathing apparatus used.
** some modern snorkels have drain valves to aid in the removal of water from the snorkel tube
* [[Surface supplied diving]]<ref name="Beyerstein" /> - mostly used in professional diving. This category includes:
** Surface oriented surface supplied diving (Bounce diving), where the diver starts and finishes the dive at normal atmospheric pressure.
** [[Saturation diving]], where the diver remains under pressure in an [[underwater habitat]] or [[Saturation diving#Equipment|saturation spread]]{{Broken anchor|date=2024-07-02|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=Saturation diving#Equipment|reason= The anchor (Equipment) [[Special:Diff/583796897|has been deleted]].}} between underwater excursions.
** [[Standard diving dress]] - mostly used in [[professional diving]]. Mainly of historical interest now.
** [[Surface supplied diving#Air line|Airline]] or Hookah diving.
** "[[Surface-supplied diving#Compressor diving|Compressor diving]]" - a rudimentary form of surface supplied diving used in the [[Philippines]] by artisanal fishermen.
** Recreational forms like [[snuba]].
*[[Scuba diving]] - The use of self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. This category includes:
** Open-circuit [[Scuba sets|scuba]] consisting of [[diving cylinder]](s) and [[diving regulator]](s)
** [[Rebreather diving]], closed-circuit or semi-closed-circuit scuba
* [[Free diving]] or breathhold diving, where the diver completes the dive on a single breath of air taken at the surface before the dive.
** [[Snorkel (swimming)|Snorkel]] allows breathing at the surface with the face submerged, and is used as an adjunct to free diving and scuba.
* [[Atmospheric diving suit]]s and other submersibles which isolate the diver from the ambient environment. These are not considered here.
* [[Liquid breathing]] systems are still hypothetical and at an early experimental stage. It is hoped that some day practical systems will allow very deep diving. This is not considered here.
<gallery mode=packed>
File:Working Diver 02.jpg|A [[United States Navy Diver|US Navy diver]] at work. The umbilical supplying air from the surface is clearly visible
Image:Standard_diving_dress_1.jpg|Diver in standard diving dress entering the water at Stoney Cove, England
File:Buzo.jpg|Scuba diver with single cylinder and open circuit regulator
Image:Junko-Kitahama Apnea-Monofin cropped.jpg|Free-diver with [[monofin]], ascending
File:Newtsuit atmospheric diving suit.jpg|The [[Newtsuit]] is an atmospheric diving suit which has fully articulated rotary joints in the arms and legs.
</gallery>


==Personal diving equipment==
* Weight Belt
<!--target for redirect [[Personal diving equipment]] -->
** A nylon web 2" wide that holds the weights (some belts can be filled with lead pellets as weights.) and features a quick release buckle. Belts come in many color with yellow or black being the most popular.
This is the diving equipment worn by or carried by the diver for personal protection or comfort, or to facilitate the diving aspect of the activity, and may include a selection from:
** Weights - used to offset positive buoyancy.
*** Lead is the most common material used
*** 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 pound blocks with holes to thread the weight belt through
*** Many modern BCD's have weight pockets with quick release buckles


===Underwater breathing apparatus===
<center>[[Image:Scuba33.jpg]]<br><small>A diver in a pool wearing a full face mask from AGA and a twin 6 liter 300 bar tank rig.</small></center>
{{main|Underwater breathing apparatus}}
* Scuba equipment: Primary [[Diving cylinder|cylinder(s)]], carried back-mounted or [[Side mount diving|side mounted]] and open circuit [[Diving regulator|regulator(s)]], or [[rebreather]] sets. [[Alternative air source]] such as [[bailout bottle]] or [[pony bottle]], and [[Decompression (diving)|decompression]] cylinders and their associated regulators. [[Diving regulator#Octopus|Secondary demand valve]] (Octopus). Sometimes a [[full-face diving mask]] is used.
* Surface-supplied equipment: [[Diving helmet|Helmet]] or [[full face mask]], diver's umbilical, airline, bailout block, bailout cylinder and regulator.
<gallery mode=packed>
File:Draeger twin 7l cylinders with twin hose regulatorPB068176.jpg|Early twin cylinder set with twin hose regulator
File:Twin 300 bar cylinders with isolating manifold.jpg|Twin scuba cylinders with isolation manifold
File:Charging a spare air cylinder PB048172.jpg|Charging a small bailout cylinder from a larger aluminium scuba cylinder
File:Scuba 01.jpg|Scuba regulator: First stage with primary and secondary demand valves, submersible pressure gauge and low pressure hose for BC inflation.
File:DecompressionPrepEdit.JPG|[[Technical diver]] with back mounted open circuit scuba and sling mounted decompression cylinders
File:Diver using Inspiration rebreather at the wreck of the MV Orotava P6308046.JPG|Diving with a [[closed circuit rebreather]]
File:IDA-71 with lid of casing opened showing interior P5167777.JPG|Russian made IDA-71 rebreather set
File:2011 06 04 Harburg Taucherhelme DSCI5241.JPG|Heavy standard [[diving helmet]], lightweight demand helmet and band mask
File:US Navy 051026-N-0000X-001 Electronics Technician 1st Class Matthew Ammons, a diver assigned to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit Two (MDSU-2), is fitted with a Kirby Morgan 37 Dive Helmet.jpg|Diver wearing lightweight demand helmet
</gallery>


=== Environmental protection ===
* [[Buoyancy Compensator]], Buoyancy Control Device, BCD or BC
{{see also|Diving suit}}
The underwater environment usually requires a diver to wear thermal, sting and abrasion protection.
* In cold water, a [[diving suit]] such as a [[dry suit]] (at temperatures of 0-10&nbsp;°C),<ref name="Barsky Long and Stinton 2006" /> a [[wet suit]] (at temperatures of 21-25&nbsp;°C),<ref name=Williams2003 /> or a [[Hot water suit]] (surface supplied diving only) is necessary.<ref name="P D Handbook" />
* [[Boiler suit]] overalls are often worn over the thermal protection suit by commercial divers as abrasion protection for the more easily damaged and expensive diving suit.
* In very warm water (temperatures of 26-30&nbsp;°C), many types of tough, long, everyday clothing provide protection, as well as purpose made garments such as dive skins (made of lycra) and shorty wetsuits. In some cases, simple regular swimsuits are also used.<ref name="Halls 2007" />
* Diving [[glove]]s, including [[Wetsuit#Accessories|wetsuit gloves]] and [[Dry suit#Gloves, mitts, and three-finger mitts|dry gloves, mitts, and three-finger mitts]]
* [[Diving suit hood]]s are worn mainly for thermal protection, but also provide some impact protection and some protection from environmental contact with contaminants and stinging animals like jellyfish.<ref name="Barsky 2007" />
* Diving boots - With dry suits, the boots are usually integrated.
* [[Safety helmet]] for [[scuba diving]]. (Not part of the breathing apparatus.)
* Diving [[chain mail]] may be used as protection against bites by large marine animals
* [[Shark proof cage|Diver's cages]] may be used as protection against large predators
* [[Atmospheric diving suit]] provides complete isolation from the environment<ref name="tanads" />


<gallery mode=packed>
* [[Diving Suit]] including dry suit, wet suit and skin
File:Fullsuit.jpg|Full wet suit
File:Plongee CombinaisonsEtanchesDansLaGlace-199912.jpg|Dry suits
File:Wetsuit0806.jpg|Short and full length wet suits
File:Diving boots.JPG|Wet suit boots
File:Neoprene diving glovesP7100001.JPG|Neoprene diving gloves
File:Neptunic shark suit 1.jpg|Chain mail shark suit
File:Sharks outside cage.jpg|Shark proof cage
File:Deep Sea Diving Suit.jpg|Atmospheric diving suit
</gallery>


===In-water stabilisation and mobility===
* [[Diving regulator]] including first stage, demand valve and contents guage
This equipment includes buoyancy control equipment and mobility equipment:
Buoyancy control is achieved by ballasting with diving weights and compensating for buoyancy changes during the dive using a buoyancy compensator:
* [[Buoyancy compensator (diving)|Buoyancy compensator]], also known as Buoyancy Control Device, BCD or BC - is usually a back mounted or sleeveless jacket style device which includes an inflatable bladder used to adjust the buoyancy of the diver under water, and provide positive buoyancy at the surface. The buoyancy compensator is usually an integral part of the harness system used to secure the scuba set to the diver. The earlier collar style buoyancy compensator is seldom used any more.
* [[Diving weighting system]] - to counteract the buoyancy of the [[diving suit]] and diver to allow descent. Professional divers may use additional weighting to ensure stability when working on the bottom


Mobility equipment allows the diver to move through the water and maneuver on the spot:
* Underwater Compass
* [[Diver Propulsion Vehicle]] - to increase the range of the diver underwater
:Works just as the "dry" versions. Often worn on the forearm, just as a clock.
* [[swimfin|Fins]] for efficient propulsion


<gallery mode=packed>
* Under Water Time Piece
File:DiverBC.jpg|Jacket buoyancy compensator
** Waterproof Watch to keep track of time
File:DiveXtras Sierra.jpg|Diver propulsion vehicle (scooter)
File:Zavorra.JPG|Weight belt
File:Scubapro bionica flips.jpg|Swim fins
</gallery>


===Equipment for dive monitoring and navigation===
* Depth Gauge
{{see also|Scuba skills#Dive management skills|Dive computer|Diver navigation}}
** Used to monitor depth
These are the equipment used for monitoring the course of the dive and following the dive plan when undesirable events are avoided. They include planning and monitoring the dive profile, gas usage and decompression, navigation, and modifying the plan to suit actual circumstances.
* [[Depth gauge]] lets the diver monitor depth, particularly maximum depth and, when used with a watch and [[Decompression tables]], also allows the diver to monitor decompression requirements. Some digital depth gauges also indicate ascent rate which is an important factor in avoiding decompression sickness
* [[Pneumofathometer]] is the surface supplied diving depth gauge which displays the depth of the diver at the surface control panel. It uses hydrostatic back-pressure on a low flow rate open ended air hose to the diver to indicate depth.
* [[Diving watch]] is used with depth gauge for decompression monitoring when using decompression tables. Largely superseded by dive computers, where elapsed time is one of the standard displays, and time of day may also be available.
* [[Dive timer]] is an instrument that displays and records depth and elapsed time during the dive. It is usually possible to extract the information after the dive. This function is often available as "Gauge setting" on dive computers.
* [[Diving compass]] for [[underwater navigation]]. This may be a regular magnetic compass, but is often a selectable function of a dive computer, where a miniature magnetometer is used.
* [[Diving regulator#Submersible pressure gauge (SPG)|Submersible pressure gauge]], also known as a "contents gauge" is used to monitor the remaining breathing gas supply in scuba cylinders.
* [[Dive computer]] helps the diver to avoid [[decompression sickness]] by indicating the [[decompression stops]] needed for the [[dive profile]]. Most dive computers also indicate depth, time and ascent rate. Some also indicate [[oxygen toxicity]] exposure and water temperature, and may provide other functions. A display of cylinder pressure is available on air-integrated computers, either via a direct high pressure hose, or remotely via a pressure transducer and through-water transmission.
* [[Distance line]], guide line, or "come-home-line" can be used to guide the diver back to the start point and safety in poor visibility.
** A cave line is a line laid by a diver while penetrating a cave to ensure that the way out is known. Permanent cave lines are marked with [[line marker]]s at all junctions, indicating the direction along the line toward the nearest exit.
<gallery mode=packed>
File:A depth gauge and submersible pressure gauge.jpg|A [[depth gauge]] and submersible pressure gauge
File:Pressure guage close up.jpg|Submersible pressure gauge
File:Surface supply air panel for 4 divers P3053737.jpg|A surface supply panel for four divers showing four pneumofathometer gauges
File:Suunto D9 Dive Computer.jpg|A [[watch]] sized dive computer incorporating an electronic compass and the ability to display cylinder pressure when used with an optional transmitter
File:Dive computer logbook.jpg|Dive computer showing the log of a previous dive
File:UW Navigation tools.jpg|Nav finder and underwater compass - basic underwater navigation tools.
File:Suunto SK-7 diving compass in aftermarket wrist mount P9021026.JPG|Diving compass in aftermarket wrist mount with bungee straps
File:Shearwater Perdix and Ratio iX3M GPS in compass mode P9070460.jpg|Dive computers in compass mode
File:Distance line.JPG|50 metres of line on a reel
File:Line_Arrow_of_Agnes_Milowka.jpg|alt=Line arrow marker|Line arrow marker
File:Mini SPG Diving.JPG|A miniature submersible pressure gauge (mini SPG) used on [[Pony bottle|pony cylinders]]
</gallery>


===Vision and communication===
* [[Dive_computer|Dive Computer]]
{{See also|Underwater vision|Diver communications}}
[[image:Dive computer1.JPG]]
Underwater vision is significantly affected by several factors. Objects are less visible because of lower levels of natural illumination and are blurred by scattering of light between the object and the viewer, also resulting in lower contrast. These effects vary with wavelength of the light, and color and turbidity of the water. The human eye is unable to focus when in direct contact with water, and an air space must be provided. Voice communication requires special equipment, and much recreational diver communication is visual and based on hand signals.
* [[Diving mask|Mask]]s allow the diver to [[underwater vision|see clearly underwater]] and protect the eyes.
** [[Full face mask]]s protect the face from dirty or cold water and reduce risk by securing the gas supply to the diver's face. If it contains no mouthpiece, the diver can talk, allowing the use of communications equipment.
** [[Diving mask#Half mask|Half masks]] cover only the eyes and nose. The diver breathes from a separate mouthpiece on the regulator or rebreather.
*** A prescription mask, or glasses which can be mounted inside the mask or helmet to provide clear vision underwater, enhancing the experience and safety for those with vision problems. A prescription mask contains lenses mounted in the scuba mask frame or bonded to the original viewports.<!-- Seedeep reading glasses are worn over the outside of a scuba mask.<ref>[https://www.see-deep.com/]. DivingGuru. 02-jan-2024. https://www.see-deep.com/</ref> (promotional site with little useful information. Product appears to be new and to have no independent reviews)-->
* [[Diving helmet]]s are often used for [[surface-supplied diving]]. They provide the same benefits as the full face mask but provide a very secure connection of the gas supply to the diver and additionally protect the head.
* Underwater [[slate (writing)|writing slates]] and [[pencil]]s are used to transport pre-dive plans underwater, to record facts while underwater and to aid communication with other divers.
* [[Dive light]]s, which are usually waterproof and pressure rated [[Flashlight|torches or flashlights]], are essential for safety in low visibility or dark environments such as [[night diving]] and wreck and cave penetration. They are useful for communication and signalling both underwater and on the surface at night. Divers need artificial light even in shallow and clear water to reveal the red end of the spectrum of light which is absorbed as it travels through water. Underwater video lights can serve the same purpose.
* Hand-held [[sonar]] for a diver can provide a synthetic view using ultrasonic signals emitted and processed by an electronic device and displayed on a screen.
* Ultrasonic signalling devices which attract the buddies attention by vibration have been marketed and may have some limited utility.<ref name="Gronfeldt 2016" />


<gallery mode=packed>
==Equipment Manufacturers==
Image:Scubamask.jpg|A diving half mask provides clear sight and protection for the eyes.
File:Full face diving mask - ocean reef.JPG|A full face mask covers the eyes, nose and mouth.
File:Dive light on soft Goodman type handle P4177480.JPG|One piece LED dive light with soft Goodman type handle
Image:Diving-torch.jpg|A "canister" style dive light
</gallery>


===Safety equipment===
* [http://www.apvalves.com// AP Valves]
<!-- Target for redirect [[Lifeline (diving)]], [[Line holder]] -->
* [http://www.aqualung.com/ Aqua Lung]
{{see also|Diving safety}} Diving safety equipment in the broader sense would include all equipment that could make a dive safer, by reducing a hazard, reducing the probability of an adverse event, or mitigating its effects. This would include basic equipment such as primary breathing apparatus, exposure protection, buoyancy management equipment and mobility equipment. The more specific meaning is equipment primarily and explicitly used to improve safety of a dive or diving operation. Equipment intended to improve safety in the second sense includes:
* [http://www.bodyglove.com/ Body Glove Wetsuits]
* [[Diver's safety harness]], to which a lifeline may be attached, including bell harness, AR vest, or jump jacket.<ref name="Barsky and Christensen 2004" />
* [http://www.divedacor.com/intro.html Dacor]
* {{diving term|Lifeline}} (or tether): A line from the diver to a tender at the surface control point, which may be used for:<ref name="DR 2001"/>
* [http://www.dive-rite.com/ Dite Rite]
** communications, by diving line signals,
* [http://www.divegoddess.com/ Dive Goddess Skins]
** to allow the diver to be found by the stand-by diver following the line,
* [http://www.halcyon.net/index.shtml Halcyon]
** to provide a [[Distance line|guideline]] to the surface control point to guide the diver on return,
* [http://hendersonusa.com/hendersonusa.html Henderson]
** to assist the diver to maintain position in a current,
* [http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/1cat_index.html Ikelite]
** in an emergency, to recover the diver to the surface, and
* [http://www.luxfercylinders.com/products/scuba/ Luxfer]
** in some cases lift the diver out of the water.
* [http://www.nikonusa.com/usa_group/group.jsp?cat=1&grp=7 Nikonos]
* [[Shotline]]: A line connecting a shot weight to a marker buoy, used to mark a dive site and provide a vertical reference for descent and ascent.<ref name="USN training" />
* [http://www.omsdive.com/index.html OMS]
* [[Buddy line]]: A short line or strap connecting two divers in the water, used to prevent them from being separated in poor visibility and for communication by line signals.<ref name="Gurr 2008" />
* [http://www.oneill.com/ O'Neill Wetsuits]
* [[Jonline]]: A short line or webbing strap to tether the diver to the shotline in a current.<ref name="Gentile" />
* [http://www.poseidon.se/ Poseidon]
* [[Surface marker buoy]], which indicates the position of the divers to people at the surface.<ref name="BDSG-SMBs" />
* [http://www.speargun.com/history.htm Riffe International] ([[speargun]])
* DSMB - (Delayed, or deployable surface marker buoy), or [[decompression buoy]] which is inflated at the start of, or during the ascent, to indicate the position of the divers to the surface team, and as a signal that the divers are ascending.<ref name="BDSG-SMBs" />
* [http://www.seaandsea.com/ Sea&Sea]
* Cutting tool
* [http://www.sherwoodscuba.com/ Sherwood]
** [[Knife]] to cut lines, nets or to pry or dig. Not intended for personal protection against underwater predators as it is generally ineffective for this purpose.
* [http://www.torpedodpv.com/ Torpedo DPV]
** Diver's net or [[line cutter]]. This is a small handheld tool carried by scuba divers to extricate themselves if trapped in [[fishing net]] or [[fishing line]]. It has a small sharp blade such as a replaceable [[scalpel]] blade inside the small notch. There is usually a hole at the other end of the handle for a lanyard to tether the cutter to the diver.
**[[Trauma shears]]. Very effective as a line cutter, with low risk of inadvertent injury or damage. Usually carried in a pocket or special purpose sheath.
* Automatic diver recovery devices which inflate the BCD if the diver stops breathing have been marketed. They are not generally used and the risks may outweigh possible benefits.

<gallery mode=packed>
File:Diver harness with weight pocketsPA268054.jpg|Front view of jacket style diver harness with removable weight pockets
File:Aa scuba netcutter.jpg|[[Scuba diver]]'s net cutter. 7 inches long
File:Blue Reef Dive Knife.JPG|Underwater Kinetics general purpose dive knife
File:Trilobite line cutter with sheath on diving harness P3187295.JPG|Trilobite line cutter with sheath on diving harness
File:Aa trauma shears.jpg|Trauma shears
File:DiverGuard.jpg|DiverGuard automatically inflates the buoyancy compensator if the diver stops breathing.
File:Diving spool with double ender bolt snap P6147909.JPG|Spool with line and double-ender clip
File:Dive reel with DSMB P9245620.JPG|Dive reel with stored DSMB
Image:Avvolgisagola.jpg|A [[stainless steel]] line holder with a 20-metre line
</gallery>

====Surface detection aids====
[[File:Personal locator beacon for divers P9170105.jpg|thumb|Personal locator beacon for divers - sealed for immersion]]
[[File:Personal locator beacon for divers P9170107.jpg|thumb|Personal locator beacon for divers - open showing coiled antenna]]
The purposes of this class of personal equipment are to:<ref name="Guimbellot" />
* allow the support [[boat]] to monitor and find divers on the surface during or after a dive
* prevent the diver being struck by [[boat]] traffic
* mark the diver's position when [[drift diving]] or while at the [[decompression stop]]
* help rescue services in [[Lifeboat (rescue)|lifeboat]]s and [[helicopter]]s to locate the diver

Surface detection aids include:<ref name="Guimbellot" />
* [[Surface marker buoy]], decompression buoy, delayed SMB, safety sausage or blob<ref name="BDSG-SMBs" />
* Red or yellow collapsible [[flag]] - high visibility, robust, usually stored bungeed to cylinder
* [[Whistle]] - cheap, will only be heard by people far from engine noise
* [[Dive light|Torch or flashlight]] - if at sea after nightfall
* [[Strobe light]] - needs long-lasting batteries
* High pressure whistle - expensive but effective
* Orange [[dye]] marker - increases diver's visibility from search [[helicopter]]s
* [[Mirror]] such as a used [[compact disc]] - to reflect sunlight or searchlights
* Red pyrotechnic [[Flare (pyrotechnic)|flare]]s - for helicopters and lifeboats
* [[ENOS Rescue-System]]
* [[Emergency position-indicating rescue beacon]] (EPIRB)
* [[Emergency locator beacon]] - A transmitter carried by the diver that can send a GPS position by [[VHF]] radio and/or [[Automatic identification system]] (AIS)
* [[Glow stick]] - for night diving

===Personal tools and accessories===
[[File:Diver's tool bag P6190008.jpg|thumb|left|Vinyl toolbag with [[bolt snap]]s for securing to harness]]
[[File:Odd Henrik Johnsen Scuba Diving.jpg|thumb|Norwegian diving pioneer Odd Henrik Johnsen with underwater camera (1960's)]]
* [[Camera]], strobe (flash), video lights and [[Underwater photography#Underwater housings|housing]] - for [[underwater photography]] or [[underwater videography]]
* [[Diving reel]], spool or line holder to store and transport a distance line or line for a surface marker buoy. A spool is a small flanged cylinder with an axial hole, around which a length of line can be wound, and a line holder is a flat H-shaped piece of rigid sheet material on which a length of [[Rope#Line|line]] can be wound, as an alternative to a reel or spool. The line may be used with a [[surface marker buoy]] or a [[delayed surface marker buoy]], where negative [[buoyancy]] of the spool or line holder will help with unwinding the line underwater.
* [[Dry box]] to hold objects the diver needs to keep dry at depth (wallet, cell phone){{citation needed|reason=I have never seen a diver take wallet and cell phone on a dive in a dry box, where does this happen?|date=December 2017}}
* [[Dry bag]] to carry items that must stay dry on the boat.
* Dive bag to hold equipment for travel.
* Tool bag to carry tools that may be required for the job. Various types and sizes are available.<ref name="Orca" />
* A {{visible anchor|rescue tether}}, or rescue rope, is a short lanyard or strap carried by a surface supplied stand-by diver to be used to tether an unresponsive diver to the standby diver during a rescue. It is attached at one end to a D-ring on the stand-by diver's harness, and has a clip at the other end which may be secured to a D-ring on the casualty's harness to allow the rescuer the use of both hands during the return to the bell or surface.
[[File:Rescue tether P6190002.jpg|thumb|left|Surface supplied diver rescue tether with soft eye and bolt snap]]

==Diving team tools and equipment==
* A [[Jackstay (diving)|jackstay]] is a form of [[guideline]] laid between two points to guide the diver during a search or to and from the workplace or to support and guide equipment for transport between two points.
* [[Lifting bag]]s, an item of diving equipment consisting of a robust and air-tight bag with straps, which is used to lift heavy objects underwater by means of the bag's buoyancy when filled with air.<ref name="Bevan 2005" />
* A [[Diving shot|shot line]], consisting of a weight, line and [[buoy]], is used to mark the location and identify the ascent and descent point of a dive site, allowing divers to navigate to and from the surface and to do [[decompression stops]] at a safe location and to help control rate of ascent and descent.
* [[Decompression trapeze]] is used to assist in maintaining correct depth during in-water decompression stops.
* [[Diving bell]]s and [[Decompression (diving)#Diving stages and wet bells|diving stages]] are used to transport divers from the surface to the underwater workplace.
* A [[Downline (diving)|downline]] is a line from the surface to underwater workplace used to control descent, ascent and the transfer of tools, materials and other equipment between the surface and the workplace.<ref name="Barsky and Christensen 2004" /> A weighted version suspended from the surface is used to control working depth when [[blue-water diving]],<ref name="NOAA 1992" /> It is similar in function to a jackstay, with an emphasis on the vertical dimension. The terms are largely interchangeable – a downline can be considered a predominantly vertical jackstay.

==Surface support equipment connected with diving and underwater work==
[[File:ICS Alfa.svg|thumb|upright=0.5|International diving flag]][[File:ICS Diver.svg|thumb|upright=0.5|Informal [[Recreational diving]] flag]]
* [[Ladder#Variations|Boarding ladders]], particularly the ''Christmas tree'' ladder configuration, with a single central rail and cantilevered rungs on both sides, which allows a diver to climb while wearing fins.
* [[Breathing gas analysis]] equipment
* [[Dive boat#Access facilities|Dive platforms]] (or swim platforms) on boats.
* [[Diver down flag]] which is flown to warn others that divers are underwater in the vicinity<ref name="eoceanic" />
* [[Diver lift]]s, to conveniently transport a diver from the deck level into the water near the surface and back out in full equipment.
* [[Diving air compressor]] to fill diving cylinders with high pressure air or other gasses
* [[Diving chamber]]s for [[Decompression (diving)#Surface decompression|surface decompression]] and treatment of [[decompression illness]]
* [[Diving support vessel]]s
** [[Dive boat]]
*** [[Dive boat#Day boat|Day boats]], which may be [[rigid-hulled inflatable boat]]s
*** [[Live-aboard dive boat]]
** [[Dynamic positioning|Dynamically positioned vessel]]
* [[Echo sounding|Echo sounder]], [[side-scan sonar]] and [[multi-beam sonar]] for location, depth measurement, and profiling of dive sites
* [[GPS]] receiver - for locating dive sites
* [[Surface-supplied diving]] breathing gas supply system, including:
** [[Surface-supplied diving#Low-pressure breathing air compressor|Low pressure breathing air compressor]]s
** [[Surface-supplied diving#High-pressure reserve gas|High pressure gas]] storage equipment
** [[Surface-supplied diving#Gas panel|Breathing gas distribution panels]]
** [[Surface-supplied diving#Diver's umbilical|Diver's umbilical]]s
** [[Surface-supplied diving#Diver communications|Diver voice communications]] equipment
** [[Gas reclaim system]] for deep heliox diving
** [[Gas blending]] systems
* [[Gas blending for scuba diving|Gas blending systems for scuba diving]]
* [[Hot water system (diving)|Hot water systems]] for supply of heating water to divers wearing hot water suits
* [[Diver communications#Light and shape signals|Light and shape signals]] indicating underwater operations
* [[Marine VHF radio]] - for communicating with rescue services and other vessels
* [[Proton magnetometer]] - for locating ferrous wrecks
* [[Saturation system]]s providing surface support for [[saturation diving]].
<gallery mode=packed>
File:Air panels and comms box at a surface supplied diver training operation P3118538.jpg|Surface supply air panels. On the left for two divers, on the right for three divers
File:Surface supply diving communications box P3103773.jpg|A hard-wired diver communications unit mounted in a waterproof box for convenience of transport and protection.
File:US Navy 010707-N-3093M-003 Diver Transfer Capsule.jpg|Personnel Transfer Capsule - a dry bell
File:Christmas tree style diver's boarding ladder.png|Christmas tree style diver's boarding ladder
</gallery>

==Special equipment for underwater work not carried by the diver==
* [[Remotely operated underwater vehicle]] - for locating dive sites, observing the environment, conducting visual searches, monitoring divers or performing physical work. Mostly used in professional diving applications.

==Maintenance and testing==
{{See also|Testing and inspection of diving cylinders}}
Life support equipment must be maintained and tested before use to ensure that it remains in serviceable condition and is fit for use at the time. Pre-dive inspection and testing of equipment at some level is standard procedure for all modes and applications of diving. The use of checklists is known to improve reliability of inspection and testing, and may be required by the applicable code of practice or operations manual, or manufacturer's operating instructions. Inadequate pre-dive checks of breathing apparatus can have fatal consequences for some equipment, such as [[rebreather]]s, or may require the diving operation to be aborted without achieving its objective.

Maintenance can be categorised as:
*Planned periodical maintenance, such as annual service and inspection of breathing apparatus, pressure equipment, lifting gear and other items according to manufacturers' recommendations or legislation.
*Cleaning and inspection after use, and appropriate storage. A large part of this is washing off salt water to prevent it from drying on the equipment and leaving corrosive brine or abrasive salt deposits, which can cause accelerated deterioration of some materials and jamming of moving parts. The ultraviolet component of sunlight can also damage non-metallic components and equipment, and ozone produced by electrical equipment is known to adversely affect some materials, such as the latex seals on dry suits. Most diving equipment will last better if stored in a cool, dry, well ventilated place out of direct sunlight.

===Decontamination and disinfection===
{{see also|Cleaning and disinfection of personal diving equipment|Hazmat diving#Decontamination}}
Diving equipment may be exposed to contamination in use and when this happens it must be [[Decontamination|decontaminated]] This is a particular issue for [[hazmat diving]], but incidental contamination can occur in other environments. Personal diving equipment shared by more than one user requires [[disinfection]] before use. Shared use is common for expensive commercial diving equipment, and for rental recreational equipment, and some items such as demand valves, masks, helmets and snorkels which are worn over the face or held in the mouth are possible [[Vector (epidemiology)|vectors]] for infection by a variety of [[pathogen]]s. Diving suits are also likely to be contaminated, but less likely to transmit infection directly.

When disinfecting diving equipment it is necessary to consider the effectiveness of the disinfectant on the expected pathogens, and the possible adverse effects on the equipment. Some highly effective methods for disinfection can damage the equipment, or cause accelerated degradation of components due to incompatibility with materials.

==Development, manufacture and marketing==
{{expand section|more information in detail|date=October 2020}}

The market sectors are commercial diving, military diving, recreational and technical scuba, freediving, and snorkelling. with scientific diving using a mix of recreational, technical, and commercial equipment.

The commercial diving market is relatively small, but occupational safety issues keep cost of operations high and there is work that must be done in support of various industries, particularly the oil and gas industry, that make money available for high reliability equipment in small quantities. The military market is similarly constrained by small quantities, and there is a lot of overlap with commercial equipment where the applications are similar, but the technical requirements for stealth operations drive development of different equipment.

Recreational scuba and snorkelling are the largest markets, in which there is the most competition between manufacturers for market share, and in which the buyers are least knowledgeable about the technology and most susceptible to persuasion by advertising.

Technical diving is a niche market, where the buyers are willing to take higher risks than commercial operators, and there is enough money available to support a small number of manufacturers developing new technology. Scientific diving is also a small market, and tends to overlap the other sectors, using what is available, and occasionally driving development of new technology for special applications.

===History===
{{main|Timeline of diving technology}}
{{see also|History of underwater diving}}
With the partial exception of breath-hold diving, the development of underwater diving capacity, scope, and popularity, has been closely linked to available technology, and the physiological constraints of the underwater environment which the technology allows divers to partially overcome.

===DEMA===
{{Infobox organization
| name = Diving Equipment and Marketing Association
| image =
| abbreviation = DEMA
| type = [[Trade association|Trade Association]]
| status = [[Mutual-benefit nonprofit corporation]]<br />Incorporated in [[California]],
| purpose = Advocacy for the [[recreational diving]] industry
| formation = 1987
| headquarters = [[California]], United States of America
| membership = 1,300
| website = {{URL|http://www.dema.org}}
|former name = Diving Equipment Manufacturers Association<ref name="Brylske" />
}}

The Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA, formerly the Diving Equipment Manufacturers Association),<ref name="Brylske" /><ref name="DEMA about" /> is an international organization for the promotion and growth of the [[recreational diving|recreational scuba diving]] and [[snorkeling|snorkeling industry]]. It is a non-profit, global organization with more than 1,300 members, which promotes scuba diving through consumer awareness programs and media campaigns such as the national Be a Diver campaign; diver retention initiatives such as DiveCaching; and an annual trade-only event for businesses in the scuba diving, action watersports and adventure/dive-travel industries, DEMA Show.<ref name="DEMA show" /> Board Members serve three-year terms.<ref name="DEMA staff" />

The purposes and objectives of the Association are published as:<ref name="DEMA objectives" />
* To promote the advancement of the diving industry, to promote and encourage the growth of diving activities, and to enhance the growth and public enjoyment of the sport of diving.
* To establish continuing business education programs to aid industry members, their officers and employees.
* To facilitate the exchange of information among industry members, through experts, internet-based programming, manuals and conferences, and other media on such subjects as quality control, general industry statistics, governmental regulations, product standards and/or certification, standardized methods of keeping books and records, and related topics of industry interest.
* To support the diving industry with communication services, media relations and resources.
* To support the diving industry in monitoring and communicating on legislation that impacts diving and to represent the industry before the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government throughout the United States and in foreign jurisdictions.
* To support the diving industry in the monitoring and protection of the environment through education and activities.

==Standards==
National and international standards have been published for the manufacture and testing of diving equipment.

'''[[Underwater breathing apparatus]]'''
* {{annotated link|EN 14143-2003}} Respiratory equipment - Self-contained re-breathing diving apparatus
* {{annotated link|BS EN 1802:2002}} Transportable gas cylinders. Periodic inspection and testing of seamless aluminium alloy gas cylinders
* {{annotated link|BS EN 1968:2002}} Transportable gas cylinders. Periodic inspection and testing of seamless steel gas cylinders

[[Swimfin|'''Swim fins''']]
[[File:Full-foot fin and open-heel fin with indication of foot length and foot width.jpg|thumb|DIN 7876 swim fin footspace length and width measurements.]]
* {{annotated link|MIL-S-82258:1965}} US Military specification. Swim fins, rubber.<ref name="MIL-S-82258" />
* {{annotated link|GOST 22469:1977}} USSR/CIS standard, Ласты резиновые для плавания. Общие технические условия. Swimming rubber flippers. General specifications.<ref name="GOST 22469-77" />
* [[DIN 7876|DIN 7876:1980]] German standard, ''Tauchzubehör. Schwimmflossen. Maße, Anforderungen und Prüfung''. Diving accessories for skin divers. Flippers. Dimensions, requirements and testing.<ref name="DIN 7876" />
* [[BN-82/8444-17.02]] Polish Industry standard. ''Gumowy sprzęt pływacki - Płetwy pływackie'' (Rubber swimming equipment - Swimming fins).<ref name="BN-82/8444-17.02" />
* {{annotated link|MS 974:1985}} Malaysian standard, Specification for rubber swimming fins.<ref name="MS 974 1985" />
* {{annotated link|ÖNORM S 4224:1988}} Austrian standard, ''Tauch-Zubehör; Schwimmflossen; Abmessungen, sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen, Prüfung, Normkennzeichnung''. Diving accessories; fins; dimensions, safety requirements, testing, marking of conformity.<ref name="ÖNORM S 4224" />
* {{annotated link|MS 974:2002}} Malaysian standard, Specification for rubber swimming fins. First revision.<ref name="MS 974" />
* {{annotated link|EN 16804:2015}} European standard, Diving equipment. Diving open heel fins. Requirements and test methods.<ref name="EN 16804" />

[[Diving mask|'''Diving masks''']]
[[File:GOST 20568 compliant Russian and Ukrainian diving masks.jpg|thumb|GOST 20568 compliant Russian and Ukrainian diving masks.]]
* {{annotated link|BS 4532:1969}} British standard, Specification for snorkels and face masks. Amended 1977.<ref name="BS4532" />
* {{annotated link|GOST 20568:1975}} USSR/CIS standard, Маски резиновые для плавания под водой. Общие технические условие. Rubber masks for submarine swimming. General specifications.<ref name="GOST 20568" />
* {{annotated link|DIN 7877:1980}} German standard, ''Tauch-Zubehör. Tauchbrillen. Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen und Prüfung''. Diving accessories for skin divers. Diver's masks. Requirements and testing.<ref name="DIN 7878a" />
* {{annotated link|BN-82/8444-17.01}} Polish Industry standard, ''Gumowy sprzęt pływacki - Maski pływackie'' (Rubber swimming equipment - Swimming masks).<ref name="BN-82/8444" />
* {{annotated link|ANSI Z87.11:1985}} American National Standard, Underwater Safety. Recreational Skin and Scuba Diving. Lenses for Masks.<ref name="ANSI Z87.11" />
* {{annotated link|ÖNORM S 4225:1988}} Austrian standard, ''Tauch-Zubehör; Tauchmasken (Tauchbrillen); Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen, Prüfung, Normkennzeichnung''. Diving accessories; divers’ masks; safety requirements, testing, marking of conformity.<ref name="ONORM S 4225b" />
* {{annotated link|CNS 12497:1989}} Chinese National Standard, 潛水鏡. Diving mask.<ref name="CNS 12497" />
* {{annotated link|CNS 12498:1989}} Chinese National Standard, 潛水鏡檢驗法. Method of test for diving mask.<ref name="CNS 12498" />
* {{annotated link|EN 16805:2015}} European standard, Diving equipment. Diving mask. Requirements and test methods.<ref name="EN 16805" />

[[File:Britmarine 1970s Catalogue Snorkel Page.jpg|thumb|A range of 1970s snorkels made to British Standard BS 4532]]
[[Snorkel (swimming)|'''Snorkels''']]
* {{annotated link|BS 4532:1969}} British standard, Specification for snorkels and face masks. Amended 1977.<ref name="BS4532" />
* {{annotated link|DIN 7878:1980}} German standard, ''Tauch-Zubehör; Schnorchel; Maße, Anforderungen, Prüfung''. Diving accessories for skin divers. Snorkel. Technical requirements of safety, testing.<ref name="DIN 7878b"/>
* {{annotated link|ÖNORM S 4223:1988}} Austrian standard, ''Tauch-Zubehör; Schnorchel; Abmessungen, sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen, Prüfung, Normkennzeichnung''. Diving accessories; snorkels; dimensions, safety requirements, testing, marking of conformity.<ref name="ONORM S 4223"/>
* {{annotated link|DIN 7878:1991}} German standard, ''Tauch-Zubehör; Schnorchel; Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen und Prüfung''. Diving accessories for skin divers. Snorkel. Safety requirements and testing.<ref name="DIN 7878" />
* {{annotated link|EN 1972:1997}} European standard, Diving accessories. Snorkels. Safety requirements.<ref name="BS EN 1972" />
* {{annotated link|EN 1972:2015}} European standard, Diving equipment. Snorkels. Requirements and test methods.<ref name="BS EN 1972b" />

[[Buoyancy compensator (diving)|'''Buoyancy compensators''']]
* [[BN-82/8444-17.05]] Polish Industry standard. ''Gumowy sprzęt pływacki - Kamizelki pływackie'' (Rubber swimming equipment - Swim vest).<ref name="BN-82" />
* {{annotated link|EN 1809:1998}} Diving accessories. Buoyancy compensators. Functional and safety requirements, test methods.
* {{annotated link|EN 1809:2014+A1:2016}} Diving equipment. Buoyancy compensators. Functional and safety requirements, test methods.

[[Wetsuit|'''Wetsuits''']]
* {{annotated link|CNS 11251:1985}} 濕式潛水衣. Diving Wet Suit.
* {{annotated link|EN 14225-1:2005}} Diving suits. Wet suits. Requirements and test methods. {{annotated link|EN 14225-1:2017}} Diving suits. Wet suits. Requirements and test methods.

[[Dry suit|'''Dry suits''']]
* {{annotated link|EN 14225-2:2002}} Diving suits. Dry suits. Requirements and test methods. {{annotated link|EN 14225-2:2017}} Diving suits. Dry suits. Requirements and test methods.

[[Depth gauge|'''Depth gauges''']]
* {{annotated link|EN 13319:2000}} Diving accessories. Depth gauges and combined depth and time measuring devices. Functional and safety requirements, test methods.

==References==
{{reflist|refs=

<ref name="ANSI Z87.11" >{{cite tech report |title=American National Standards Institute: ANSI Z87.11:1985: Underwater Safety. Recreational Skin and Scuba Diving. Lenses for Masks |location=New York |publisher=American National Standards Institute|date=1985 }}</ref>

<ref name="Barsky 2007">{{cite book |last=Barsky |first=Steven |title=Diving in High-Risk Environments |edition=4th |year=2007 |publisher=Hammerhead Press |location=Ventura, California |isbn=978-0-9674305-7-7}}</ref>

<ref name="Barsky and Christensen 2004" >{{cite book |title=The Simple Guide to Commercial Diving |first1=Steven M. |last1=Barsky |first2=Robert W. |last2=Christensen |publisher=Hammerhead Press |date=2004 |isbn=9780967430546 |pages=78, 92–93 }}</ref>

<ref name="Barsky Long and Stinton 2006">{{cite book |last1=Barsky |first1=Steven M. |last2=Long |first2=Dick |last3=Stinton |first3=Bob |title=Dry Suit Diving: A Guide to Diving Dry |year=2006 |isbn=9780967430560 |pages=152 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X8q9ZjJvkH8C |access-date=8 March 2009 |publisher=Hammerhead Press |location=Ventura, CA.}}</ref>

<ref name="BDSG-SMBs">{{cite web |url=http://www.bdsg.org/BDSG%20advice%20regarding%20DSMBs.pdf |title=Recommendations Concerning the Use of Surface Marker Buoys |last=<!--not specified--> |website=www.bdsg.org |publisher=British Diving Safety Group |access-date=7 March 2016 |archive-date=29 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229153023/http://bdsg.org/BDSG%20advice%20regarding%20DSMBs.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="Bevan 2005">{{cite book|editor=Bevan, John|title=The Professional Divers's Handbook|edition=second|year=2005|publisher=Submex Ltd|location=Alverstoke, Gosport, Hampshire |chapter=3:Applied techniques | pages=174–177|isbn= 978-0950824260}}</ref>

<ref name="Beyerstein" >{{cite report |author=Beyerstein, G |title=Commercial Diving: Surface-Mixed Gas, Sur-D-O2, Bell Bounce, Saturation. |journal=In: Lang, MA and Smith, NE (Eds). Proceedings of Advanced Scientific Diving Workshop |location=Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC |year=2006 }}</ref>

<ref name="BN-82" >{{cite book|url=http://bc.pollub.pl/dlibra/publication/2961/edition/2833 |publisher=Instytut Przemysłu Gumowego STOMIL (Łódź) |date=1982 |title=BN-82/8444-17.05. Gumowy sprzęt pływacki - Kamizelki pływackie |location=Warsaw |access-date=26 November 2020 |via= bc.pollub.pl |last3=Wasielewski |first3=Ireneusz |last4=Wasielewski |first4=Ireneusz }}</ref>

<ref name="BN-82/8444" >{{Cite web|url=http://bc.pollub.pl/dlibra/publication/2949|title=Gumowy sprzęt pływacki - Maski pływackie BN-82/8444-17.01 - Our Digital Library|date=July 9, 2013|via=bc.pollub.pl |last1=Wasielewski |first1=Ireneusz }}</ref>

<ref name="BN-82/8444-17.02" >{{Cite book |url=http://bc.pollub.pl/dlibra/publication/2953|title=Gumowy sprzęt pływacki - Płetwy pływackie BN-82/8444-17.02 - Our Digital Library |last1=Wasielewski |first1=Ireneusz }}</ref>

<ref name="Brylske" >{{cite web|last1=Brylske|first1=Alex|title=Training Standards: Understanding the "Why" Behind What Divers are Taught|url=http://www.dtmag.com/Stories/What%20About/11-01-3feature.htm|publisher=Dive Training magazine|access-date=26 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227090903/http://www.dtmag.com/Stories/What%20About/11-01-3feature.htm|archive-date=27 December 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="BS4532" >{{cite book |title=British Standards Institution: BS 4532: Specification for snorkels and face masks |location=London |publisher=British Standards Institution |date=1969 }} Amendment Slip No. 1 to BS 4532:1969 ''Snorkels and face masks'', 30 December 1977.</ref>

<ref name="BS EN 1972" >{{cite book |title=British Standards Institution: BS EN 1972: Diving accessories - Snorkels - Safety requirements and test methods |location=London |publisher=British Standards Institution |date=1997}}</ref>

<ref name="BS EN 1972b" >{{cite book |title=British Standards Institution: BS EN 1972: Diving equipment - Snorkels - Requirements and test methods |location=London |publisher=British Standards Institution |date=2015 }}</ref>

<ref name="CNS 12497" >{{cite book |url=https://www.cnsonline.com.tw/ |title=Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection: CNS 12497: 潛水鏡. Diving mask |publisher=Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection, Republic of China }} Preview available at cnsonline.com.tw</ref>

<ref name="CNS 12498" >[https://www.cnsonline.com.tw Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection: CNS 12498: 潛水鏡檢驗法. ''Method of test for diving mask'', Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection, Republic of China. Preview available at cnsonline.com.tw]</ref>

<ref name="DEMA about" >{{cite web | url=http://www.dema.org/?page=About | title=Meet the Association - the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association }}</ref>

<ref name="DEMA objectives" >{{cite web |url=http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.dema.org/resource/resmgr/assn_&_board_docs/bylaws-currentversion.pdf |title=Diving Equipment and Marketing Association Inc. Bylaws |access-date=2015-10-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304034949/http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.dema.org/resource/resmgr/assn_%26_board_docs/bylaws-currentversion.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-04 }}</ref>

<ref name="DEMA show" >{{cite web |url=http://www.demashow.com/ |title=Home |website=demashow.com}}</ref>

<ref name="DEMA staff" >{{cite web | url=http://www.dema.org/staff/ | title=Board, Committees & Staff Members - the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association }}</ref>

<ref name="DIN 7876" >{{cite book |author=((Deutsches Institut für Normung)) |date=1980 |title=DIN 7876 Tauchzubehör – Schwimmflossen – Maße, Anforderungen und Prüfung. [Diving accessories for skin divers; Flippers, dimensions, requirements and testing] |publisher=Beutz Verlag GmbH |location=Berlin }}</ref>

<ref name="DIN 7878" >{{cite book |author=((Deutsches Institut für Normung)) |title=DIN 7878: Tauch-Zubehör: Schnorchel. Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen und Prüfung [Diving accessories for skin divers; snorkel; safety requirements and testing] |location=Berlin/Cologne |publisher=Beuth Verlag |date=1991 }}</ref>

<ref name="DIN 7878a" >Deutsches Institut für Normung: DIN 7878: ''Tauch-Zubehör. Tauchbrillen. Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen und Prüfung. Diving accessories for skin divers. Diver’s masks. Requirements and testing'', Berlin/Cologne: Beuth Verlag, 1980.</ref>

<ref name="DIN 7878b">Deutsches Institut für Normung: DIN 7878: ''Tauch-Zubehör: Schnorchel. Maße. Anforderungen. Prüfung (Diving accessories for skin divers; snorkel; technical requirements of safety, testing)'', Berlin/Cologne: Beuth Verlag, 1980.</ref>

<ref name="DR 2001">{{cite book |author=((Department of Labour)) |title=Diving regulations 2001 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 |series=Government Gazette, Republic of South Africa |volume=438 |issue=2291 |publisher= Government Printer |location=Pretoria |date=11 January 2002 }}</ref>

<ref name="EN 16804" >{{cite report|work=[[European standard]] EN 16804 |date=2015 |title=Diving equipment. Diving open heel fins. Requirements and test methods |publisher=[[British Standards Institution]] |location=London }}</ref>

<ref name="EN 16805" >{{cite report |work=European standard EN 16805 |title=Diving equipment. Diving mask. Requirements and test methods |location=London |publisher=British Standards Institution |date=2015 }}</ref>

<ref name="eoceanic">{{cite web|url=https://eoceanic.com/sailing/tips/35/330/maritime_flags_and_their_meaning/? |title=Maritime flags and their meaning |publisher=eoceanic.com|access-date=11 July 2022}}</ref>

<ref name="Gentile">{{cite book |first=Gary |last=Gentile |title=The Technical Diving Handbook |isbn=1-883056-05-5 |date=1998 |publisher=Gary Gentile Productions}}</ref>

<ref name="GOST 20568" >[https://pdf.standartgost.ru/catalog/Data2/1/4294832/4294832859.pdf GOST 20568-75. ''Маски резиновые для плавания под водой. Общие технические условие. Rubber masks for submarine swimming. General specifications''. Retrieved on 8 March 2019 at standartgost.ru]</ref>

<ref name="GOST 22469-77" >{{Cite web |url=https://pdf.standartgost.ru/catalog/Data2/1/4294831/4294831427.pdf |title=GOST 22469-77. ''Ласты резиновые для плавания. Общие технические условия. Swimming rubber flippers. General specifications'', ИПК Издательство стандартов, Moscow. Document found online at standartgost.ru Retrieved 16 March 2019 |access-date=22 July 2019 |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417204857/https://pdf.standartgost.ru/catalog/Data2/1/4294831/4294831427.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="Gronfeldt 2016">{{cite web |url=https://scubadiverlife.com/gear/gear-review-buddy-watcher/ |title=Gear Review: The Buddy-Watcher |work=scubadiverlife.com |first=Thomas |last=Gronfeldt |date=11 November 2016 |access-date=25 October 2017 }}</ref>

<ref name="Guimbellot" >{{cite web |url=https://dtmag.com/thelibrary/signaling-devices-divers/ |title=How to Be an Attention-Getter: Signaling Devices for Divers |website=dtmag.com |first1=Barry |last1=Guimbellot |first2=Ruth |last2=Guimbellot |access-date=20 September 2023 }}</ref>

<ref name="Gurr 2008" >{{cite book|last=Gurr|first=Kevin |editor-last=Mount |editor-first=Tom|editor2-last=Dituri |editor2-first=Joseph|title=Exploration and Mixed Gas Diving Encyclopedia|edition=1st|date=August 2008|publisher=International Association of Nitrox Divers|location=Miami Shores, Florida|isbn=978-0-915539-10-9|pages=165–180|chapter=13: Operational Safety}}</ref>

<ref name="Halls 2007">{{cite book |last=Halls |first=Monty |year=2007 |title=Go scuba dive |publisher=Dorling Kindersley |isbn=978-1405318211}}</ref>

<ref name="MIL-S-82258" >[[United States Military Standard|US military standard]] MIL-S-82258 (1965) ''Swim Fins, Rubber''. Document found online at https://assist.dla.mil. Retrieved 9 December 2014.</ref>

<ref name="MS 974" >{{cite report |work=Malaysian standard MS 974 |date=2002 |title=Specification for rubber swimming fins |edition=First revision |publisher= Department of Standards Malaysia }}</ref>

<ref name="MS 974 1985" >Malaysian standard MS 974 (1985) ''Specification for rubber swimming fins'', SIRIM Standards & Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia.</ref>

<ref name="NOAA 1992">{{cite book|title=The NOAA Diving Manual: Diving for Science and Technology |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dWI8e8rVbJ0C&q=helium+%28He%29+is+the+other+inert+gas+commonly+used+in+breathing+mixtures+for+divers |access-date=8 March 2016 |edition=illustrated |year=1992 |publisher=DIANE Publishing |isbn=9781568062310 |pages=15.1 |chapter=15: Mixed gas and oxygen diving}}</ref>

<ref name="ONORM S 4223" >{{cite book |title=Austrian Standards International: ÖNORM S 4223: Tauch-Zubehör; Schnorchel; Abmessungen, sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen, Prüfung, Normkennzeichnung ''(Diving accessories; snorkel; dimensions, safety requirements, testing, marking of conformity)'' |location=Vienna |publisher=Austrian Standards International |date=1988 }}</ref>

<ref name="ÖNORM S 4224" >[[Austrian Standards International]]: ÖNORM S 4224: ''Tauch-Zubehör; Schwimmflossen; Abmessungen, sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen, Prüfung, Normkennzeichnung. Diving accessories; fins; dimensions, safety requirements, testing, marking of conformity''.</ref>

<ref name="ONORM S 4225b" >{{cite book |title=Austrian Standards International: ÖNORM S 4225: Tauchmasken (Tauchbrillen); Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen, Prüfung, Normkennzeichnung. (Diving accessories; divers' masks; safety requirements, testing, marking of conformity) |location=Vienna |publisher=Austrian Standards International |date=1988 }}</ref>

<ref name="Orca" >{{cite web|url=https://www.orca-industries.co.za/shop/diving/tool-bags/ |title=Tool bag |website= |access-date=28 March 2024 }}</ref>

<ref name="P D Handbook" >{{cite book |editor-last=Bevan|editor-first=John|title=The Professional Divers's Handbook |edition=second |year=2005 |publisher=Submex Ltd |location=Alverstoke, GOSPORT, Hampshire, UK |isbn= 978-0950824260 |page=242 |chapter=Section 5.4 }}</ref>

<ref name="tanads" >{{cite web |last1=Thornton |first1=Mike |first2=Robert |last2=Randall |first3=Kurt |last3=Albaugh |title=Then and Now: Atmospheric Diving Suits |publisher=UnderWater magazine |date=March–April 2001 |url=http://www.underwater.com/archives/arch/marapr01.01.shtml |access-date=18 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209012857/http://www.underwater.com/archives/arch/marapr01.01.shtml |archive-date=December 9, 2008}}</ref>

<ref name="USN training" >{{YouTube| 1cwYe9gga9k | "U.S. Navy Standard Deep Sea Diving Outfit training film 43424 NA" }}</ref>

<ref name=Williams2003>{{cite journal |title=Exposure suits: a review of thermal protection for the recreational diver |journal=[[South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society Journal]] |volume=33 |issue=1 |year=2003 |issn=0813-1988 |oclc=16986801 |author1=Williams, Guy |author2=Acott, Chris J }}</ref>


}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline|Underwater diving equipment}}

{{UnderwaterDiving|divequ}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Underwater diving equipment| ]]

Revision as of 15:22, 3 July 2024

Diving equipment
Two display dummies dressed in surface supplied diving equipment at a dive trade show
Surface supplied commercial diving equipment on display at a trade show
Other namesDive gear
UsesFacilitate underwater diving operations

Diving equipment, or underwater diving equipment, is equipment used by underwater divers to make diving activities possible, easier, safer and/or more comfortable. This may be equipment primarily intended for this purpose, or equipment intended for other purposes which is found to be suitable for diving use.

The fundamental item of diving equipment used by divers other than freedivers, is underwater breathing apparatus, such as scuba equipment, and surface-supplied diving equipment, but there are other important items of equipment that make diving safer, more convenient or more efficient. Diving equipment used by recreational scuba divers, also known as scuba gear, is mostly personal equipment carried by the diver, but professional divers, particularly when operating in the surface supplied or saturation mode, use a large amount of support equipment not carried by the diver.

Equipment which is used for underwater work or other activities which is not directly related to the activity of diving, or which has not been designed or modified specifically for underwater use by divers is not considered to be diving equipment.

Classes of underwater breathing apparatus

The diving mode is largely defined by the type of breathing apparatus used.

Personal diving equipment

This is the diving equipment worn by or carried by the diver for personal protection or comfort, or to facilitate the diving aspect of the activity, and may include a selection from:

Underwater breathing apparatus

Environmental protection

The underwater environment usually requires a diver to wear thermal, sting and abrasion protection.

  • In cold water, a diving suit such as a dry suit (at temperatures of 0-10 °C),[2] a wet suit (at temperatures of 21-25 °C),[3] or a Hot water suit (surface supplied diving only) is necessary.[4]
  • Boiler suit overalls are often worn over the thermal protection suit by commercial divers as abrasion protection for the more easily damaged and expensive diving suit.
  • In very warm water (temperatures of 26-30 °C), many types of tough, long, everyday clothing provide protection, as well as purpose made garments such as dive skins (made of lycra) and shorty wetsuits. In some cases, simple regular swimsuits are also used.[5]
  • Diving gloves, including wetsuit gloves and dry gloves, mitts, and three-finger mitts
  • Diving suit hoods are worn mainly for thermal protection, but also provide some impact protection and some protection from environmental contact with contaminants and stinging animals like jellyfish.[6]
  • Diving boots - With dry suits, the boots are usually integrated.
  • Safety helmet for scuba diving. (Not part of the breathing apparatus.)
  • Diving chain mail may be used as protection against bites by large marine animals
  • Diver's cages may be used as protection against large predators
  • Atmospheric diving suit provides complete isolation from the environment[7]

In-water stabilisation and mobility

This equipment includes buoyancy control equipment and mobility equipment: Buoyancy control is achieved by ballasting with diving weights and compensating for buoyancy changes during the dive using a buoyancy compensator:

  • Buoyancy compensator, also known as Buoyancy Control Device, BCD or BC - is usually a back mounted or sleeveless jacket style device which includes an inflatable bladder used to adjust the buoyancy of the diver under water, and provide positive buoyancy at the surface. The buoyancy compensator is usually an integral part of the harness system used to secure the scuba set to the diver. The earlier collar style buoyancy compensator is seldom used any more.
  • Diving weighting system - to counteract the buoyancy of the diving suit and diver to allow descent. Professional divers may use additional weighting to ensure stability when working on the bottom

Mobility equipment allows the diver to move through the water and maneuver on the spot:

Equipment for dive monitoring and navigation

These are the equipment used for monitoring the course of the dive and following the dive plan when undesirable events are avoided. They include planning and monitoring the dive profile, gas usage and decompression, navigation, and modifying the plan to suit actual circumstances.

  • Depth gauge lets the diver monitor depth, particularly maximum depth and, when used with a watch and Decompression tables, also allows the diver to monitor decompression requirements. Some digital depth gauges also indicate ascent rate which is an important factor in avoiding decompression sickness
  • Pneumofathometer is the surface supplied diving depth gauge which displays the depth of the diver at the surface control panel. It uses hydrostatic back-pressure on a low flow rate open ended air hose to the diver to indicate depth.
  • Diving watch is used with depth gauge for decompression monitoring when using decompression tables. Largely superseded by dive computers, where elapsed time is one of the standard displays, and time of day may also be available.
  • Dive timer is an instrument that displays and records depth and elapsed time during the dive. It is usually possible to extract the information after the dive. This function is often available as "Gauge setting" on dive computers.
  • Diving compass for underwater navigation. This may be a regular magnetic compass, but is often a selectable function of a dive computer, where a miniature magnetometer is used.
  • Submersible pressure gauge, also known as a "contents gauge" is used to monitor the remaining breathing gas supply in scuba cylinders.
  • Dive computer helps the diver to avoid decompression sickness by indicating the decompression stops needed for the dive profile. Most dive computers also indicate depth, time and ascent rate. Some also indicate oxygen toxicity exposure and water temperature, and may provide other functions. A display of cylinder pressure is available on air-integrated computers, either via a direct high pressure hose, or remotely via a pressure transducer and through-water transmission.
  • Distance line, guide line, or "come-home-line" can be used to guide the diver back to the start point and safety in poor visibility.
    • A cave line is a line laid by a diver while penetrating a cave to ensure that the way out is known. Permanent cave lines are marked with line markers at all junctions, indicating the direction along the line toward the nearest exit.

Vision and communication

Underwater vision is significantly affected by several factors. Objects are less visible because of lower levels of natural illumination and are blurred by scattering of light between the object and the viewer, also resulting in lower contrast. These effects vary with wavelength of the light, and color and turbidity of the water. The human eye is unable to focus when in direct contact with water, and an air space must be provided. Voice communication requires special equipment, and much recreational diver communication is visual and based on hand signals.

  • Masks allow the diver to see clearly underwater and protect the eyes.
    • Full face masks protect the face from dirty or cold water and reduce risk by securing the gas supply to the diver's face. If it contains no mouthpiece, the diver can talk, allowing the use of communications equipment.
    • Half masks cover only the eyes and nose. The diver breathes from a separate mouthpiece on the regulator or rebreather.
      • A prescription mask, or glasses which can be mounted inside the mask or helmet to provide clear vision underwater, enhancing the experience and safety for those with vision problems. A prescription mask contains lenses mounted in the scuba mask frame or bonded to the original viewports.
  • Diving helmets are often used for surface-supplied diving. They provide the same benefits as the full face mask but provide a very secure connection of the gas supply to the diver and additionally protect the head.
  • Underwater writing slates and pencils are used to transport pre-dive plans underwater, to record facts while underwater and to aid communication with other divers.
  • Dive lights, which are usually waterproof and pressure rated torches or flashlights, are essential for safety in low visibility or dark environments such as night diving and wreck and cave penetration. They are useful for communication and signalling both underwater and on the surface at night. Divers need artificial light even in shallow and clear water to reveal the red end of the spectrum of light which is absorbed as it travels through water. Underwater video lights can serve the same purpose.
  • Hand-held sonar for a diver can provide a synthetic view using ultrasonic signals emitted and processed by an electronic device and displayed on a screen.
  • Ultrasonic signalling devices which attract the buddies attention by vibration have been marketed and may have some limited utility.[8]

Safety equipment

Diving safety equipment in the broader sense would include all equipment that could make a dive safer, by reducing a hazard, reducing the probability of an adverse event, or mitigating its effects. This would include basic equipment such as primary breathing apparatus, exposure protection, buoyancy management equipment and mobility equipment. The more specific meaning is equipment primarily and explicitly used to improve safety of a dive or diving operation. Equipment intended to improve safety in the second sense includes:

  • Diver's safety harness, to which a lifeline may be attached, including bell harness, AR vest, or jump jacket.[9]
  • Lifeline (or tether): A line from the diver to a tender at the surface control point, which may be used for:[10]
    • communications, by diving line signals,
    • to allow the diver to be found by the stand-by diver following the line,
    • to provide a guideline to the surface control point to guide the diver on return,
    • to assist the diver to maintain position in a current,
    • in an emergency, to recover the diver to the surface, and
    • in some cases lift the diver out of the water.
  • Shotline: A line connecting a shot weight to a marker buoy, used to mark a dive site and provide a vertical reference for descent and ascent.[11]
  • Buddy line: A short line or strap connecting two divers in the water, used to prevent them from being separated in poor visibility and for communication by line signals.[12]
  • Jonline: A short line or webbing strap to tether the diver to the shotline in a current.[13]
  • Surface marker buoy, which indicates the position of the divers to people at the surface.[14]
  • DSMB - (Delayed, or deployable surface marker buoy), or decompression buoy which is inflated at the start of, or during the ascent, to indicate the position of the divers to the surface team, and as a signal that the divers are ascending.[14]
  • Cutting tool
    • Knife to cut lines, nets or to pry or dig. Not intended for personal protection against underwater predators as it is generally ineffective for this purpose.
    • Diver's net or line cutter. This is a small handheld tool carried by scuba divers to extricate themselves if trapped in fishing net or fishing line. It has a small sharp blade such as a replaceable scalpel blade inside the small notch. There is usually a hole at the other end of the handle for a lanyard to tether the cutter to the diver.
    • Trauma shears. Very effective as a line cutter, with low risk of inadvertent injury or damage. Usually carried in a pocket or special purpose sheath.
  • Automatic diver recovery devices which inflate the BCD if the diver stops breathing have been marketed. They are not generally used and the risks may outweigh possible benefits.

Surface detection aids

Personal locator beacon for divers - sealed for immersion
Personal locator beacon for divers - open showing coiled antenna

The purposes of this class of personal equipment are to:[15]

Surface detection aids include:[15]

Personal tools and accessories

Vinyl toolbag with bolt snaps for securing to harness
Norwegian diving pioneer Odd Henrik Johnsen with underwater camera (1960's)
  • Camera, strobe (flash), video lights and housing - for underwater photography or underwater videography
  • Diving reel, spool or line holder to store and transport a distance line or line for a surface marker buoy. A spool is a small flanged cylinder with an axial hole, around which a length of line can be wound, and a line holder is a flat H-shaped piece of rigid sheet material on which a length of line can be wound, as an alternative to a reel or spool. The line may be used with a surface marker buoy or a delayed surface marker buoy, where negative buoyancy of the spool or line holder will help with unwinding the line underwater.
  • Dry box to hold objects the diver needs to keep dry at depth (wallet, cell phone)[citation needed]
  • Dry bag to carry items that must stay dry on the boat.
  • Dive bag to hold equipment for travel.
  • Tool bag to carry tools that may be required for the job. Various types and sizes are available.[16]
  • A rescue tether, or rescue rope, is a short lanyard or strap carried by a surface supplied stand-by diver to be used to tether an unresponsive diver to the standby diver during a rescue. It is attached at one end to a D-ring on the stand-by diver's harness, and has a clip at the other end which may be secured to a D-ring on the casualty's harness to allow the rescuer the use of both hands during the return to the bell or surface.
Surface supplied diver rescue tether with soft eye and bolt snap

Diving team tools and equipment

  • A jackstay is a form of guideline laid between two points to guide the diver during a search or to and from the workplace or to support and guide equipment for transport between two points.
  • Lifting bags, an item of diving equipment consisting of a robust and air-tight bag with straps, which is used to lift heavy objects underwater by means of the bag's buoyancy when filled with air.[17]
  • A shot line, consisting of a weight, line and buoy, is used to mark the location and identify the ascent and descent point of a dive site, allowing divers to navigate to and from the surface and to do decompression stops at a safe location and to help control rate of ascent and descent.
  • Decompression trapeze is used to assist in maintaining correct depth during in-water decompression stops.
  • Diving bells and diving stages are used to transport divers from the surface to the underwater workplace.
  • A downline is a line from the surface to underwater workplace used to control descent, ascent and the transfer of tools, materials and other equipment between the surface and the workplace.[9] A weighted version suspended from the surface is used to control working depth when blue-water diving,[18] It is similar in function to a jackstay, with an emphasis on the vertical dimension. The terms are largely interchangeable – a downline can be considered a predominantly vertical jackstay.

Surface support equipment connected with diving and underwater work

International diving flag
Informal Recreational diving flag

Special equipment for underwater work not carried by the diver

  • Remotely operated underwater vehicle - for locating dive sites, observing the environment, conducting visual searches, monitoring divers or performing physical work. Mostly used in professional diving applications.

Maintenance and testing

Life support equipment must be maintained and tested before use to ensure that it remains in serviceable condition and is fit for use at the time. Pre-dive inspection and testing of equipment at some level is standard procedure for all modes and applications of diving. The use of checklists is known to improve reliability of inspection and testing, and may be required by the applicable code of practice or operations manual, or manufacturer's operating instructions. Inadequate pre-dive checks of breathing apparatus can have fatal consequences for some equipment, such as rebreathers, or may require the diving operation to be aborted without achieving its objective.

Maintenance can be categorised as:

  • Planned periodical maintenance, such as annual service and inspection of breathing apparatus, pressure equipment, lifting gear and other items according to manufacturers' recommendations or legislation.
  • Cleaning and inspection after use, and appropriate storage. A large part of this is washing off salt water to prevent it from drying on the equipment and leaving corrosive brine or abrasive salt deposits, which can cause accelerated deterioration of some materials and jamming of moving parts. The ultraviolet component of sunlight can also damage non-metallic components and equipment, and ozone produced by electrical equipment is known to adversely affect some materials, such as the latex seals on dry suits. Most diving equipment will last better if stored in a cool, dry, well ventilated place out of direct sunlight.

Decontamination and disinfection

Diving equipment may be exposed to contamination in use and when this happens it must be decontaminated This is a particular issue for hazmat diving, but incidental contamination can occur in other environments. Personal diving equipment shared by more than one user requires disinfection before use. Shared use is common for expensive commercial diving equipment, and for rental recreational equipment, and some items such as demand valves, masks, helmets and snorkels which are worn over the face or held in the mouth are possible vectors for infection by a variety of pathogens. Diving suits are also likely to be contaminated, but less likely to transmit infection directly.

When disinfecting diving equipment it is necessary to consider the effectiveness of the disinfectant on the expected pathogens, and the possible adverse effects on the equipment. Some highly effective methods for disinfection can damage the equipment, or cause accelerated degradation of components due to incompatibility with materials.

Development, manufacture and marketing

The market sectors are commercial diving, military diving, recreational and technical scuba, freediving, and snorkelling. with scientific diving using a mix of recreational, technical, and commercial equipment.

The commercial diving market is relatively small, but occupational safety issues keep cost of operations high and there is work that must be done in support of various industries, particularly the oil and gas industry, that make money available for high reliability equipment in small quantities. The military market is similarly constrained by small quantities, and there is a lot of overlap with commercial equipment where the applications are similar, but the technical requirements for stealth operations drive development of different equipment.

Recreational scuba and snorkelling are the largest markets, in which there is the most competition between manufacturers for market share, and in which the buyers are least knowledgeable about the technology and most susceptible to persuasion by advertising.

Technical diving is a niche market, where the buyers are willing to take higher risks than commercial operators, and there is enough money available to support a small number of manufacturers developing new technology. Scientific diving is also a small market, and tends to overlap the other sectors, using what is available, and occasionally driving development of new technology for special applications.

History

With the partial exception of breath-hold diving, the development of underwater diving capacity, scope, and popularity, has been closely linked to available technology, and the physiological constraints of the underwater environment which the technology allows divers to partially overcome.

DEMA

Diving Equipment and Marketing Association
AbbreviationDEMA
Formation1987
TypTrade Association
Legal statusMutual-benefit nonprofit corporation
Incorporated in California,
PurposeAdvocacy for the recreational diving industry
HauptsitzCalifornia, United States of America
Membership
1,300
Websitewww.dema.org
Formerly called
Diving Equipment Manufacturers Association[20]

The Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA, formerly the Diving Equipment Manufacturers Association),[20][21] is an international organization for the promotion and growth of the recreational scuba diving and snorkeling industry. It is a non-profit, global organization with more than 1,300 members, which promotes scuba diving through consumer awareness programs and media campaigns such as the national Be a Diver campaign; diver retention initiatives such as DiveCaching; and an annual trade-only event for businesses in the scuba diving, action watersports and adventure/dive-travel industries, DEMA Show.[22] Board Members serve three-year terms.[23]

The purposes and objectives of the Association are published as:[24]

  • To promote the advancement of the diving industry, to promote and encourage the growth of diving activities, and to enhance the growth and public enjoyment of the sport of diving.
  • To establish continuing business education programs to aid industry members, their officers and employees.
  • To facilitate the exchange of information among industry members, through experts, internet-based programming, manuals and conferences, and other media on such subjects as quality control, general industry statistics, governmental regulations, product standards and/or certification, standardized methods of keeping books and records, and related topics of industry interest.
  • To support the diving industry with communication services, media relations and resources.
  • To support the diving industry in monitoring and communicating on legislation that impacts diving and to represent the industry before the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government throughout the United States and in foreign jurisdictions.
  • To support the diving industry in the monitoring and protection of the environment through education and activities.

Standards

National and international standards have been published for the manufacture and testing of diving equipment.

Underwater breathing apparatus

  • EN 14143-2003 Respiratory equipment - Self-contained re-breathing diving apparatus
  • BS EN 1802:2002 Transportable gas cylinders. Periodic inspection and testing of seamless aluminium alloy gas cylinders
  • BS EN 1968:2002 Transportable gas cylinders. Periodic inspection and testing of seamless steel gas cylinders

Swim fins

DIN 7876 swim fin footspace length and width measurements.
  • MIL-S-82258:1965 US Military specification. Swim fins, rubber.[25]
  • GOST 22469:1977 USSR/CIS standard, Ласты резиновые для плавания. Общие технические условия. Swimming rubber flippers. General specifications.[26]
  • DIN 7876:1980 German standard, Tauchzubehör. Schwimmflossen. Maße, Anforderungen und Prüfung. Diving accessories for skin divers. Flippers. Dimensions, requirements and testing.[27]
  • BN-82/8444-17.02 Polish Industry standard. Gumowy sprzęt pływacki - Płetwy pływackie (Rubber swimming equipment - Swimming fins).[28]
  • MS 974:1985 Malaysian standard, Specification for rubber swimming fins.[29]
  • ÖNORM S 4224:1988 Austrian standard, Tauch-Zubehör; Schwimmflossen; Abmessungen, sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen, Prüfung, Normkennzeichnung. Diving accessories; fins; dimensions, safety requirements, testing, marking of conformity.[30]
  • MS 974:2002 Malaysian standard, Specification for rubber swimming fins. First revision.[31]
  • EN 16804:2015 European standard, Diving equipment. Diving open heel fins. Requirements and test methods.[32]

Diving masks

GOST 20568 compliant Russian and Ukrainian diving masks.
  • BS 4532:1969 British standard, Specification for snorkels and face masks. Amended 1977.[33]
  • GOST 20568:1975 USSR/CIS standard, Маски резиновые для плавания под водой. Общие технические условие. Rubber masks for submarine swimming. General specifications.[34]
  • DIN 7877:1980 German standard, Tauch-Zubehör. Tauchbrillen. Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen und Prüfung. Diving accessories for skin divers. Diver's masks. Requirements and testing.[35]
  • BN-82/8444-17.01 Polish Industry standard, Gumowy sprzęt pływacki - Maski pływackie (Rubber swimming equipment - Swimming masks).[36]
  • ANSI Z87.11:1985 American National Standard, Underwater Safety. Recreational Skin and Scuba Diving. Lenses for Masks.[37]
  • ÖNORM S 4225:1988 Austrian standard, Tauch-Zubehör; Tauchmasken (Tauchbrillen); Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen, Prüfung, Normkennzeichnung. Diving accessories; divers’ masks; safety requirements, testing, marking of conformity.[38]
  • CNS 12497:1989 Chinese National Standard, 潛水鏡. Diving mask.[39]
  • CNS 12498:1989 Chinese National Standard, 潛水鏡檢驗法. Method of test for diving mask.[40]
  • EN 16805:2015 European standard, Diving equipment. Diving mask. Requirements and test methods.[41]
A range of 1970s snorkels made to British Standard BS 4532

Snorkels

  • BS 4532:1969 British standard, Specification for snorkels and face masks. Amended 1977.[33]
  • DIN 7878:1980 German standard, Tauch-Zubehör; Schnorchel; Maße, Anforderungen, Prüfung. Diving accessories for skin divers. Snorkel. Technical requirements of safety, testing.[42]
  • ÖNORM S 4223:1988 Austrian standard, Tauch-Zubehör; Schnorchel; Abmessungen, sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen, Prüfung, Normkennzeichnung. Diving accessories; snorkels; dimensions, safety requirements, testing, marking of conformity.[43]
  • DIN 7878:1991 German standard, Tauch-Zubehör; Schnorchel; Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen und Prüfung. Diving accessories for skin divers. Snorkel. Safety requirements and testing.[44]
  • EN 1972:1997 – European standard design and manufacture of snorkels European standard, Diving accessories. Snorkels. Safety requirements.[45]
  • EN 1972:2015 European standard, Diving equipment. Snorkels. Requirements and test methods.[46]

Buoyancy compensators

  • BN-82/8444-17.05 Polish Industry standard. Gumowy sprzęt pływacki - Kamizelki pływackie (Rubber swimming equipment - Swim vest).[47]
  • EN 1809:1998 Diving accessories. Buoyancy compensators. Functional and safety requirements, test methods.
  • EN 1809:2014+A1:2016 Diving equipment. Buoyancy compensators. Functional and safety requirements, test methods.

Wetsuits

Dry suits

Depth gauges

  • EN 13319:2000 Diving accessories. Depth gauges and combined depth and time measuring devices. Functional and safety requirements, test methods.

References

  1. ^ Beyerstein, G (2006). Commercial Diving: Surface-Mixed Gas, Sur-D-O2, Bell Bounce, Saturation. In: Lang, MA and Smith, NE (Eds). Proceedings of Advanced Scientific Diving Workshop (Report). Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC.
  2. ^ Barsky, Steven M.; Long, Dick; Stinton, Bob (2006). Dry Suit Diving: A Guide to Diving Dry. Ventura, CA.: Hammerhead Press. p. 152. ISBN 9780967430560. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
  3. ^ Williams, Guy; Acott, Chris J (2003). "Exposure suits: a review of thermal protection for the recreational diver". South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society Journal. 33 (1). ISSN 0813-1988. OCLC 16986801.
  4. ^ Bevan, John, ed. (2005). "Section 5.4". The Professional Divers's Handbook (second ed.). Alverstoke, GOSPORT, Hampshire, UK: Submex Ltd. p. 242. ISBN 978-0950824260.
  5. ^ Halls, Monty (2007). Go scuba dive. Dorling Kindersley. ISBN 978-1405318211.
  6. ^ Barsky, Steven (2007). Diving in High-Risk Environments (4th ed.). Ventura, California: Hammerhead Press. ISBN 978-0-9674305-7-7.
  7. ^ Thornton, Mike; Randall, Robert; Albaugh, Kurt (March–April 2001). "Then and Now: Atmospheric Diving Suits". UnderWater magazine. Archived from the original on December 9, 2008. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  8. ^ Gronfeldt, Thomas (11 November 2016). "Gear Review: The Buddy-Watcher". scubadiverlife.com. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  9. ^ a b Barsky, Steven M.; Christensen, Robert W. (2004). The Simple Guide to Commercial Diving. Hammerhead Press. pp. 78, 92–93. ISBN 9780967430546.
  10. ^ Department of Labour (11 January 2002). Diving regulations 2001 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993. Government Gazette, Republic of South Africa. Vol. 438. Pretoria: Government Printer.
  11. ^ "U.S. Navy Standard Deep Sea Diving Outfit training film 43424 NA" on YouTube
  12. ^ Gurr, Kevin (August 2008). "13: Operational Safety". In Mount, Tom; Dituri, Joseph (eds.). Exploration and Mixed Gas Diving Encyclopedia (1st ed.). Miami Shores, Florida: International Association of Nitrox Divers. pp. 165–180. ISBN 978-0-915539-10-9.
  13. ^ Gentile, Gary (1998). The Technical Diving Handbook. Gary Gentile Productions. ISBN 1-883056-05-5.
  14. ^ a b c "Recommendations Concerning the Use of Surface Marker Buoys" (PDF). www.bdsg.org. British Diving Safety Group. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
  15. ^ a b Guimbellot, Barry; Guimbellot, Ruth. "How to Be an Attention-Getter: Signaling Devices for Divers". dtmag.com. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  16. ^ "Tool bag". Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  17. ^ Bevan, John, ed. (2005). "3:Applied techniques". The Professional Divers's Handbook (second ed.). Alverstoke, Gosport, Hampshire: Submex Ltd. pp. 174–177. ISBN 978-0950824260.
  18. ^ "15: Mixed gas and oxygen diving". The NOAA Diving Manual: Diving for Science and Technology (illustrated ed.). DIANE Publishing. 1992. p. 15.1. ISBN 9781568062310. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  19. ^ "Maritime flags and their meaning". eoceanic.com. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  20. ^ a b Brylske, Alex. "Training Standards: Understanding the "Why" Behind What Divers are Taught". Dive Training magazine. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  21. ^ "Meet the Association - the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association".
  22. ^ "Home". demashow.com.
  23. ^ "Board, Committees & Staff Members - the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association".
  24. ^ "Diving Equipment and Marketing Association Inc. Bylaws" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-10-08.
  25. ^ US military standard MIL-S-82258 (1965) Swim Fins, Rubber. Document found online at https://assist.dla.mil. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  26. ^ "GOST 22469-77. Ласты резиновые для плавания. Общие технические условия. Swimming rubber flippers. General specifications, ИПК Издательство стандартов, Moscow. Document found online at standartgost.ru Retrieved 16 March 2019" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  27. ^ Deutsches Institut für Normung (1980). DIN 7876 Tauchzubehör – Schwimmflossen – Maße, Anforderungen und Prüfung. [Diving accessories for skin divers; Flippers, dimensions, requirements and testing]. Berlin: Beutz Verlag GmbH.
  28. ^ Wasielewski, Ireneusz. Gumowy sprzęt pływacki - Płetwy pływackie BN-82/8444-17.02 - Our Digital Library.
  29. ^ Malaysian standard MS 974 (1985) Specification for rubber swimming fins, SIRIM Standards & Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia.
  30. ^ Austrian Standards International: ÖNORM S 4224: Tauch-Zubehör; Schwimmflossen; Abmessungen, sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen, Prüfung, Normkennzeichnung. Diving accessories; fins; dimensions, safety requirements, testing, marking of conformity.
  31. ^ Specification for rubber swimming fins. Malaysian standard MS 974 (Report) (First revision ed.). Department of Standards Malaysia. 2002.
  32. ^ Diving equipment. Diving open heel fins. Requirements and test methods. European standard EN 16804 (Report). London: British Standards Institution. 2015.
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  38. ^ Austrian Standards International: ÖNORM S 4225: Tauchmasken (Tauchbrillen); Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen, Prüfung, Normkennzeichnung. (Diving accessories; divers' masks; safety requirements, testing, marking of conformity). Vienna: Austrian Standards International. 1988.
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  43. ^ Austrian Standards International: ÖNORM S 4223: Tauch-Zubehör; Schnorchel; Abmessungen, sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen, Prüfung, Normkennzeichnung (Diving accessories; snorkel; dimensions, safety requirements, testing, marking of conformity). Vienna: Austrian Standards International. 1988.
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  45. ^ British Standards Institution: BS EN 1972: Diving accessories - Snorkels - Safety requirements and test methods. London: British Standards Institution. 1997.
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