| Scuba equipment allows divers to explore many | | | | the bottom of the water was reached. A tether was |
| different water environments. Humans have had the | | | | used to pull these sponge gatherers back to the |
| desire to experience such underwater depths since | | | | surface quickly as needed. |
| before recorded history. This is known through | | | | Air hoses as well as crude diving bells have also been |
| numerous undersea artifacts which have been found | | | | mentioned in Greek writing as far as breathing |
| in ancient civilizations. There have also been various | | | | equipment goes. Thinly sliced and polished tortoise |
| depictions of divers which are dated back to these | | | | shells were used as goggles around the beginning of |
| early times. | | | | the fourteenth century. This was done by Persian |
| Of course, the most basic method of underwater | | | | divers. |
| diving was simply to hold one's breath. After that, | | | | What is regarded as the first true diving bell was |
| the least complex forms of underwater gear were | | | | created by Guglielmo de Loreno. It was created in |
| hollow reeds. These were cut and used as a | | | | 1535. He used it to complete the first one-hour dive. |
| rudimentary form of snorkel. | | | | It is true that several different cultures during |
| In writings dating back to Ancient Greece, many | | | | different time periods developed their own versions |
| references are made to expert diving skills used in | | | | of diving bells. These bells were the first rudimentary |
| warfare. There are also many acknowledgments of | | | | form of scuba equipment which allowed divers to |
| primitive scuba equipment and diving techniques. | | | | travel completely under water with more than one |
| These include such things as sponge gatherers holding | | | | breath of air. |
| a heavy stone for a quick and deep descent. | | | | It may interest people to know that humans are not |
| At this time, the physical dangers inherent in the act | | | | the only species who have made use of such design! |
| of diving were not understood. Of course, the | | | | In fact, there is a spider known as the diving bell |
| increased pressure demands were still felt. In an | | | | spider who lives underwater despite its need for |
| attempt to counteract these difficulties, oil would be | | | | breathing air. These spiders construct webs that are |
| poured into the ears prior to the descent. Some oil | | | | very similar to diving bells which provide for all their |
| was also held within the mouth and spat out once | | | | oxygen needs. |