Decompression buoy

Decompression buoy (also known as a deco buoy or surface marker buoy) is a buoyant device used by scuba divers to signal their location to their surface support team while they are undergoing decompression during ascent from a dive.

Usage

The decompression buoy is inflated at depth and sent to the surface on a line, which the diver holds onto during their decompression stops. The buoy is typically brightly colored to be easily visible from the surface. It serves two main purposes: it alerts surface vessels to the diver's presence, reducing the risk of collision, and it provides a visual reference for the diver during their decompression stops.

Types

There are two main types of decompression buoys: open-ended and closed. Open-ended buoys are inflated by the diver exhaling into them, while closed buoys are inflated by a direct feed from the diver's air tank. Closed buoys are generally considered safer as they cannot accidentally deflate.

History

The use of decompression buoys in scuba diving has evolved over time. They were initially used primarily in commercial and military diving, but have become increasingly popular in recreational diving due to their safety benefits.

See also

• Diving equipment
• Diving safety
• Diving signals

Decompression buoy Resources
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