History of Scuba Diving Equipment

Scuba diving is now accessible to most people because of big advances in technology. Original divers were not so lucky. Throughout the centuries, advancements have taken humanity from wondering about what lies beneath the ocean's surface to being able to experience it first hand.

  1. Early Diving History

    • For centuries people in coastal areas have used diving to harvest food and other goods from the water. The earliest divers used hollow reeds to breathe while underwater. Diving bells were first used by underwater explorers in the 1600s.

    Diving in the 1700s and 1800s

    • Diving suits were created and improved upon in the 1700s and 1800s. A diver in one of these suits was supplied compressed air by a ship on the surface. These suits were fully contained and had a helmet that covered the entire head.

    The Early 1900s

    • Throughout the 1900s, many improvements were made on diving equipment. Self-contained gear was soon able to remain detached from the surface ship for the entirety of short dives. Nitrox, a special gas mixture designed to extend the amount of time a diver could spend underwater, was also developed.

    Jaques Cousteay and Emile Gagnan

    • In 1943, Cousteau and Gagnan tested and patented the Aqua-Lung. This device was a vast improvement on previous gear, and is regarded as the reason that scuba diving became a widely enjoyed sport.

    The 1970s and 1980s

    • In the 1970s, the creation and widespread implementation of buoyancy control vests allowed divers to have more control over their dives. Other advances in scuba equipment at this time include the consistent use of single hose regulators and rebreathers.

    Scuba Diving Today

    • Scuba diving today is one of the most popular extreme sports, with records being broken often by some of the world's best divers. Dive shops can certify divers in as little as one day, which makes diving a popular vacation pastime.