Many people do not realise that the Word scuba is an acronym. It stands for Self-contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. Scuba diving has developed in the past two decades from a tool used by marine scientists to a leisure activity enjoyed by hundreds of thousands. Scuba divers are to be found in all parts of the globe.
The History of Scuba Diving
It was the famous marine biologist Jacque Costeau and his engineering colleague Emile Gagnan, who came up with the idea for the regulator used to deliver the air to the divers mouth. They invented it in 1942 and bravely tested them. Today millions enjoy scuba diving as a direct result of their bravery. However, their system was a dual hose system. The system used today is a single hose system using a regulator developed by Ted Eldred.
Prior to the invention of the regulator in 1942 deep-sea divers had to wear a cumbersome suit that was sealed. Air was fed through an umbilical cord, which severely restricted how far the diver could stray from the boat. The diver also had to reach the bottom before they could begin to explore. This severely restricted what they could see and do whilst under the water.
Scuba Diving Today
Scuba diving is a leisure activity that has encouraged people to spread their wings and visit many exotic parts of the world. For some places scuba diving has provided an economic lifeline. Some remote parts of the world have built their tourist industry using scuba diving as one of its foundations. They have built accommodation for scuba divers who have come to experience the beautiful wildlife under the sea.
Those divers have gone on to enjoy other aspects of the countries they are visiting. This has led to a burgeoning eco-tourism industry throughout the world. Scuba divers go home and sing the praises of the places they visit, which in turn attracts others to that part of the world. Because the tourism in that area has been built pretty much on eco-tourism local governments are careful to develop take care of their marine environment. Something one of the inventors of scuba diving, Jacques Costeau, would be particularly pleased about.