History of Scuba Diving

Do you know anything about the history of scubaof pressure. Later, metal was used to create helmets
diving? Scuba stands for Self-Contained Underwaterwhich made it more pressure-tolerant. This allowed
Breathing Apparatus. Dating back to civilizations ofdivers to go deeper which of course opened doors
old, people have been engaging in breath-hold divingfor greater discovery of the sea depths.
or free-diving. The artifacts in museums that bear theIn 19th century, modern scuba diving emerged after
pictures of divers are evident of diving activities asyears of research. Two inventors, Paul Bert and John
early as in ancient Greek. Many used to be goodScott Haldene made some successful observations
hunters of sponges, spearfish, etc.and discoveries about water pressure and the human
Breath-hold was probably the first method.body's limit towards compressed air diving. It was
Subsequently, the idea of snorkeling was born. Usingalso during this time that new technologies were
air-filled bags, hollow reeds and diving bells, they wereavailable for the production of air pumps, scuba
able to improve and spend a longer time in water.regulators, etc. This marked the beginning of scuba
The diving bell was a popular device. It is actually adiving.
water-tight and air-tight chamber that is connectedIn the 20th century, we are able to create different
by hoses or cables that supply the divers with asophisticated scuba diving equipment. Masks, air
constant stream of air. However, all these methodstanks, scuba gear, swim fins, propellers etc are now
have their limitations.common equipment used. This activity used to be
The first attempts at using diving suits started inconfined to the military. In the recent decades from
England and France. These suits were made of1950 onwards, the public became intrigued by scuba
leather and air was pumped from the surface.diving which explains why you see scuba gear shops
However, they could only withstand a certain degreeopening up all over the world at popular island resorts.