| Formally known as the diving cylinder, the scuba tank | | | | better allow them to move around if they carry only |
| is a cylindrical metal container used to store a | | | | one tank. This applies to tourists who want to go |
| significant amount of high pressure breathing gas for | | | | diving to see corals or tropical fish where they don't |
| the scuba diver to bring with him or her when diving | | | | really need that much decompression. On the other |
| into the water. The term SCUBA stands for Self | | | | hand, more professional diving activities like |
| Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus named | | | | underwater explorations where divers need to go |
| directly for its purpose. | | | | deep into the water or when the water is really cold |
| The term diving cylinder is the technical term for the | | | | require divers to bring along with them more than |
| tank as referred to by engineers, specialists or | | | | one breathing source. |
| individuals who speak British English. On the other | | | | Scuba tanks aren't also used solely for breathing |
| hand, the terms scuba tank or diving tank are the | | | | underwater, especially in the case of decompression |
| more commonly used names for those who use | | | | diving or more serious diving activities. When bringing |
| American English. Contrary to the common mistake | | | | more than one cylinder, divers fill their other cylinders |
| of calling these devices as "oxygen tanks", these | | | | with other gas mixtures for other purposes. First, |
| tanks are ideally meant to contain breathing gas that | | | | there is the reserve gas tank in case of emergencies. |
| is composed of a mixture - not necessarily pure | | | | Then there are travel and bottom gases, which are |
| oxygen. As a matter of fact, oxygen is only included | | | | used for the diver to control pressure breathing |
| in the breathing gas for the tank in special cases. | | | | when ascending or descending into deeper waters |
| Furthermore, these diving cylinders are not always | | | | and staying on the seabed. There are also other uses |
| used alone, but rather used as in pairs or more in aid | | | | for the device, all of which are designed to aid the |
| in the entire SCUBA diving experience which may | | | | diver. |
| vary based on circumstance. For example, divers who | | | | Because of this, scuba tanks are very important for |
| go to warm recreational bodies of water usually bring | | | | every kind of diver there is. If anything, diving would |
| only one scuba tank for the reasons that they don't | | | | hardly be possible at all. |
| need too much oxygen support and that it would | | | | |