Aside from the obvious, scuba means diving. But there is much more to this exciting and popular water sport than putting on some gear and jumping in the water. Scuba, an acronym for Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus, is a way for people to explore underwater environments, including shipwrecks, kelp forests and coral reefs. While many people take up the hobby for recreational reasons, it is also used for exploration, scientific research, and public safety diving.

In addition to the equipment, scuba requires a diver to undergo proper training to ensure safe diving practices. It is important for divers to follow established guidelines regarding depth limits and bottom time, in order to protect marine life and the habitats they have come to visit. It is also vital for divers to maintain proper buoyancy control so as not to inadvertently damage delicate aquatic environments or interfere with natural phenomena, such as currents and waves.

The equipment of scuba includes one or two compressed air tanks strapped to a diver’s back, and a breathing apparatus that attaches to the tank. The breathing apparatus, which is called a scuba unit, has a mouthpiece and a regulator that adjusts the pressure of the air released to match the ambient water pressure, and a BCD (buoyancy control device) that allows the diver to make adjustments in their buoyancy so as not to sink.

Depending on the dive plan, a diver may also use an AED (automated external defibrillator) and a compass. Other important scuba gear includes the SPG (submersible pressure gauge), which tells the diver how much air is left in the tank, and the log book, where each dive is recorded, along with the depth, duration and other pertinent information.