Introduction to Scuba Diving

THE exploits of TV scuba divers have done much to spur interest in underwater swimming as a participant sport, although “self-contained diving” has been gaining momentum rapidly among water sports since World War II when stories of the activities of military “Frogmen” were released and the equipment became available for civilian use.

The word “scuba,” which has become part of the language of water sports in recent years, refers to “self-contained underwater breathing apparatus,” or diving using a tank (or tanks) of compressed air strapped to the back, a connecting hose, face mask and nippers. Scuba equipment enables a swimmer to remain under water for varying lengths of time, limited by tank volume and the depth of the dive.

Obviously there is some inherent danger in scuba diving. Because so many persons have ventured into this new activity without the proper skill or supervised instruction and practice, there have been a number of accidents and fatalities. In some areas restrictive legislation has been adopted prohibiting scuba diving or limiting it to certain areas, or requiring certain safety precautions and the display of the skin-diver’s flag where diving is being practiced.

The Boy Scouts of America have adopted a general policy that scuba equipment should not be used in scouting under any conditions except in an emergency, and then only by experts. Most experts in the field of aquatic sports agree that only persons eighteen years of age or over should be encouraged to go into scuba diving, and that a long period of training, conditioning and practice under a qualified and certified expert is basic preparation for the sport.

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