Atmospheric pressure diving

Atmospheric pressure diving is a type of diving where the diver is not exposed to the pressure of the surrounding water. The pressure inside the diving bell, or other diving apparatus, is maintained at the same pressure as the surface atmosphere, regardless of the depth of the water. This type of diving is used in commercial, scientific, and military applications.

History

The concept of atmospheric pressure diving dates back to the early 16th century, when Leonardo da Vinci sketched designs for an underwater breathing apparatus. However, it was not until the 19th century that practical designs for atmospheric diving suits were developed.

Equipment

Atmospheric pressure diving requires specialized equipment, including a diving bell, diving suit, or submersible. These devices are designed to maintain a constant internal pressure, regardless of the external water pressure.

Diving Bell

The diving bell is one of the earliest forms of atmospheric diving equipment. It is a chamber, often shaped like a bell, that is lowered into the water. The bottom of the bell is open to the water, but the air inside the bell is trapped by the water pressure, creating an air pocket where the diver can breathe.

Diving Suit

The atmospheric diving suit (ADS) is a small one-person submersible which maintains an internal pressure of one atmosphere despite the external pressure. The ADS allows the diver to work at great depths for extended periods without the need for decompression.

Submersible

A submersible is a type of underwater vehicle that can operate at great depths while maintaining an internal pressure equal to surface atmospheric pressure. Submersibles are used for deep-sea exploration and research.

Safety and Health Considerations

Atmospheric pressure diving eliminates many of the risks associated with scuba diving, such as decompression sickness and nitrogen narcosis. However, it also introduces new risks, such as the potential for equipment failure and the physical strain of operating in a pressurized environment.

See Also

• Commercial diving
• Deep diving
• Saturation diving