| Aside from the required protective suit you will | | | | Cylinders are required to be inspected on a |
| also need some extra diving equipment before | | | | regular basis. These diving equipment items should |
| going under the water. | | | | be tested periodically by accredited testing |
| The Buoyancy Compensation Device: | | | | facilities to examine if they are safe to operate. |
| BCD is necessary to uphold your buoyancy | | | | Regulators: |
| underwater. There are different types of devices. | | | | Air in a cylinder is held at very high pressure that |
| It is worn like a jacket and consists of the | | | | is why regulators are required. Regulators control |
| following: | | | | the pressure to a level that a human being can |
| Internal air bladders | | | | breathe. |
| A hose for adding and extracting air from | | | | Series of high pressure hoses: |
| bladders | | | | 1. Feed for the BCD |
| A loop system for holding air cylinder | | | | 2. Accommodate the mouthpiece (the demand |
| Pockets and D-rings for equipment | | | | valve) |
| Air is added or extracted out of internal bladders. | | | | 3. Alternative air source (known as octopus) |
| Lead weights: | | | | 4. Contain the gauge. |
| Human body is naturally buoyant and although it | | | | Breathable air will be delivered to the diver |
| might be carrying heavy diving equipment it will | | | | through the demand valve (DV) by way of the |
| not automatically sink. To stabilize this natural | | | | mouthpiece. The diver breathes in and out with |
| buoyancy divers need to wear lead weights | | | | the air being forced out through an exhaust on |
| placed either inside a harness, in a belt or in the | | | | the DV. In case of emergencies. a buddy can use |
| pockets of the BCD. | | | | a second demand valve called octopus. It is |
| To regulate the balance of buoyancy, air is added | | | | colored bright yellow for easy identification |
| to the BCD to keep the diver off the bottom of | | | | underwater. The contents gauge will notify the |
| the dive location or in the depth chosen. When on | | | | diver for available air in the cylinder. |
| the surface, the BCD is teemed with air to | | | | Computer: |
| counteract the negative effects of the weights. | | | | The computer worn on the diver's wrist is to |
| Cylinders: | | | | record: |
| Cylinders do not contain oxygen, contrary to | | | | Depth |
| what most people believe. They contain air | | | | Length of time underwater |
| compressed under pressure. It is measured either | | | | Rate of ascent to the surface |
| in pounds per square inch (psi) or measured by | | | | Calculate compression stops |
| bar. This is controlled by a valve found on the top | | | | Clothing required: |
| of the cylinder. | | | | Mask |
| Cylinders are usually constructed of steel or | | | | Fins |
| aluminum. They come in a range of sizes | | | | Protective clothing, skin suit, wet suit, semi dry |
| measured in cubic feet or liters. Different sizes of | | | | suit and/or a dry suit |
| cylinders have their advantages and | | | | Seeing to it that you are using the right |
| disadvantages. Larger ones allow longer periods to | | | | equipment makes sure of your safety. Never |
| remain underwater but the disadvantage is that | | | | forget to check thediving equipment with your |
| they are heavier to carry. | | | | buddy before attempting any dive. |