What Does SCUBA Mean and What is it?

 Human beings have been obsessed with exploring the underwater world for centuries. Stone carvings show the ancient Greeks even using water reeds as snorkels to take a look beneath the surface. Alexander the Great was rumoured to have experimented with an early version of a diving bell. It was only in 1942 that Jacques Cousteau and Émile Gagnan designed the first SCUBA unit, the Aqua-Lung, which resembles what we call a SCUBA unit today.

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Jacques Cousteau & Émile Gagnan invented the first modern SCUBA - the Aqualung.

Most people are familiar with the terms SCUBA diving, SCUBA gear, and just plain SCUBA. However, what many people do not know is that SCUBA is actually an acronym. That’s right, although SCUBA has found its place in modern day dictionaries, it actually started out as S.C.U.B.A. The acronym stands for Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. The acronym was coined by Dr Christian Lambertsen in 1954 and was a new name for his earlier invention, the Lambertsen Amphibious Respiratory Unit (LARU).

What Does a SCUBA Unit Do?

A SCUBA unit doesn’t breathe for you but it allows you to breathe underwater and to ascend, descend, hover (maintain a position at a mid-water depth) or float at the surface at will. It provides users with a safe and reliable way to explore underwater and move around comfortably, without the restrictions or limitations caused by a connection to the surface.

What Actually is a SCUBA Unit?

A SCUBA unit consists of 3 main parts: a regulator, a tank, and a buoyancy control device (BCD). These parts are also accompanied by gauges.

In the next sections we will take a look at these individual items one by one.

Scuba gear: Modern Aqualung BCD's and regulators ready for diving aboard Big Boat

Regulators

A scuba diving regulator is the piece of equipment that enables a diver to breathe from a scuba tank. It regulates the pressure of the air a diver breathes. This is necessary because the compressed air in a scuba tank is extremely high pressure – too high to breathe from. The regulator reduces the pressure of the compressed air (in 2 stages) to a pressure which is breathable.

The first stage reduces the pressure from the tank to an intermediate pressure and the second stage reduces it again from intermediate pressure and delivers it to the diver on demand (when the diver breathes inhales).

Five basic parts are usually included in a standard Open Water SCUBA diving regulator (a regulator that expels the divers exhaled air into the water, in the form of bubbles):

• The first stage (the part that attaches to the top of the SCUBA tank)

• The second stage (the part which is held in the divers mouth)

• The low pressure inflator hose (which runs from the top of the tank to the divers buoyancy control device)

• A high pressure hose (which runs from the top of the tank to the divers gauges to which show the remaining air in the tank and the depth)

• The Alternate Air Source (also called an octopus), it is a second second-stage which is easily identifiable by its bright yellow colour. It’s primary purpose is not to support the diver who is carrying it, it is for the diver’s buddy, should they have a low on air or out of air emergency, they can take their buddies Alternate Air Source and breathe from their tank while the pair make a safe ascent to the surface.

Buoyancy Control Device (BCD)

Commonly known as a BCD but also referred to as a vest or jacket. The BCD is what physically attaches the tank in place on the divers body. The BCD is also what enables divers to float at the surface, achieve neutral buoyancy, and descend and ascend in a controlled manner.

Practicing

The BCD is connected to the divers air supply  via a low pressure inflator hose. The BCD is fitted with either a push button or lever which enables the diver to add and remove low pressure air to the BCD directly from the tank. It is by adding and releasing air into the BCD that the diver is able move around in a comfortable and effortless manner.

Visibility at sites is excellent, however, water temperatures are cooler at between 21-24 degrees and at some sites there can be thermoclines in the sub-20 degrees range. A 5mm long wetsuit is recommended (some divers prefer a 7mm during these months) and a hood. Hoods are not easy to rent so it is a good idea to invest in your own.

Dry season coincides with the mola mola season that runs from August to October with July and November being shoulder months where sightings are unpredictable.

There is little wind during these months so boat transfers from mainland Bali to Nusa Lembongan are generally smooth and comfortable. If you need assistance in booking your boat, let us know. We recommend traveling with Arthamas Express as they stop directly in front of our dive shop. Arthamas also operates a pickup and drop off service and will pick you up from your hotel in Bali (or the airport) and bring you to the harbour in Sanur prior to departing for Nusa Lembongan. The crossing takes approximately 40 minutes.

Diving in Nusa Lembongan is available all year round

Seasonal Highlights

-       Wet season offers Bali’s warmest waters and temperatures can be up to 29 degrees Celsius

-       Crystal Bay during the height of the dry season offers phenomenal visibility

-       Although manta ray sightings are year round on Nusa Penida’s south coast, during the months of April and May, sightings are particularly prevalent – often with mating trains

-       The Jurassic looking mola mola frequents Nusa Penida from August to November

-       Although the dry season brings excellent visibility, it’s also when water temperatures can plummet to 21-24 degrees Celcius with thermoclines occasionally below 20 degrees.

-       Hawksbill turtles and bamboo sharks are spotted around our islands all year round

-       Stronger winds from December through to March can make boat rides to the island more choppy and increase surge at some south Nusa Penida dive sites, including Manta Point and Manta Bay

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Are you Ready to Dive with Us in Nusa Lembongan?

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida have something to offer everyone. If you’d like to take a PADI course while you are here we have a purpose built onsite dive training pool and you’ll be amazed by the reefs, marine life, and our professional team. No matter what time of year you want to visit, we are open and enjoying phenomenal diving!

To make a reservation or for more information please feel free to contact us on info@world-diving.com or use the button below...

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We are looking forward to introducing you to underwater Nusa Lembongan soon!