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Dive Gear

Dive gear has evolved greatly over time, from the primitive reed snorkels that have been used for millennia to the modern day scuba gear that is available now. Different ideas have been used to keep people underwater for longer durations of time, one of the most widely used is the diving bell. A diving bell is a heavy bell that is lowered into the water so that the air does not escape. Divers can then return to the bell for a breath of air, greatly extending underwater time.

Eventually air was piped into these bells, allowing even longer underwater excursions, but going deeper was still a major concern. Water has a much higher pressure than air, so at deeper depths air has to be pressurized to be usable. Different designs surfaced, including diving helmets with hoses connected to the surface with a fresh air supply, but it wasn’t until Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Emile Gagnan developed their Aqua-Lung which contained an air supply and a simple but effective regulator, that diving became available to the general public.

Modern dive gear has become increasingly user friendly and available. Finding the proper equipment to dive is easier than ever before, with many shops specializing in recreational diving. Instruction is widely available and there is a standardized certification course. Diving equipment is very specialized depending on the depth of dive, water temperature and skill level.

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