Scuba Accessories – Life Jacket, Belt and Knife, Swim fins, Depth Gauge

The basic scuba equipment is the breathing apparatus and the face mask. However, for safety and comfort in the water, you should consider providing yourself with some of the scuba accessories described here, depending on the type of diving you are planning to do.

Life jacket

Some type of notation gear is required for use with the scuba. The standard type is a life jacket an inflatable life preserver-which is a vest-type jacket inflated by a carbon-dioxide cylinder. A tube is also provided for inflation by mouth if the gas cylinder should fail. When inflated, the preserver holds the head well clear of the water. This life jacket should be worn under all gear that can be jettisoned. When donning your gear, put the jacket on over your protective clothing, but under the releasable gear such as the scuba and the weight belt.

Belt and knife

It is a general precaution in scuba diving to carry a knife sheathed in a scabbard on a suitable belt. The knife is your safeguard against entanglement. Secure the knife to the belt with a lanyard to prevent loss. Two satisfactory types of knives are the standard diver’s knife and the Army standard combat sheath knife, which are generally available in Army-Navy surplus stores or at sporting-goods shops.

Swim fins

Flexible fins for the feet are an important accessory. Without swim fins, you will find it extremely difficult to propel yourself adequately with scuba. The fins are particularly valuable for swimming to the surface in an emergency ascent. Even when diving with negative buoyancy, you should use your fins. The fins increase the propulsive force transmitted from the legs to the water. For maximum efficiency they should have a large blade and considerable rigidity. Try a few different types to determine which works best for you. If the blade is too large, or if the fin is too rigid, there is excessive back pressure on the fin, which quickly produces fatigue. On the other hand, if the blade is too small or if the fin is too flexible, there is insufficient thrust again producing fatigue. Comfort is an important factor in the use of fins. Tight or loose fins can chafe or blister your feet. Be sure your fins fit well, and use a larger size over a suit or protective covering for the feet.

Depth gauge

Depth gauges are designed to be worn on the wrist or attached to some part of the equipment. The United States Navy has conducted tests on various types of depth gauges and warns against placing full reliance on them. However, they do give a fairly good estimate of the depth below the surface.

The two general types of depth gauges are the open manometer type and the Bourdon tube dial gauge. The open manometer gauge is a flat plastic piece that incorporates a graduated tube. One end of the tube is open, the other closed. On descent, sea water enters the open end of the tube, compressing the air trapped inside. Depth is then read by the height of the water level inside the tube. Poor visibility of the gradations, variations caused by temperature changes, unevenness of the tube bore, crowded gradations, and loss of entrapped air, affect the reliability of this gauge, and its use at depths below 33 feet is not recommended.

The Bourdon tube gauge consists of a spiral-shaped metallic tube with one end open and the other closed. The tube is mounted in a sealed circular case, so that the open end is exposed to sea water. The closed end of the tube is connected by a linkage to a pointer on a calibrated dial. On descent, water enters the open end of the tube and pressurizes the bore. The differential between the bore and the sealed case causes the tube to deflect from its original shape. This movement is transmitted to the pointer by the connecting linkage, and the depth is read on the graduated dial. On ascent, the elasticity of the tube causes it to resume its original shape. This type of gauge is somewhat more reliable than the open manometer type, and if it is protected against possible damage by impact or shock, it should give readings that are accurate within 1 and 3 per cent of the operating depth. It operates satisfactorily down to depths of about 50 feet.

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