Outline of underwater divers

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Overview of and topical guide to underwater divers

The outline of underwater divers provides an overview and topical guide to the various types of underwater divers, their activities, and the equipment they use. Underwater divers are individuals who engage in underwater diving, either for recreational, commercial, scientific, or military purposes.

Types of underwater divers

• Recreational diver – divers who engage in diving as a leisure activity.
• Technical diver – divers who go beyond the limits of recreational diving, often using specialized equipment and techniques.
• Commercial diver – professional divers who perform underwater work such as construction, inspection, and maintenance.
• Military diver – divers who are part of military units, often involved in special operations, mine clearance, and underwater demolition.
• Public safety diver – divers who are part of emergency services, involved in search and rescue, recovery, and investigation.
• Scientific diver – divers who conduct underwater research and data collection for scientific purposes.
• Freediver – divers who dive without the use of breathing apparatus, relying on holding their breath.

Diving activities

• Scuba diving – diving with the use of a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.
• Snorkeling – swimming on the surface with the use of a snorkel, mask, and fins.
• Freediving – diving without breathing apparatus, relying on breath-holding.
• Technical diving – diving that exceeds the limits of recreational diving, often involving decompression stops, mixed gases, and specialized equipment.
• Cave diving – diving in underwater caves, requiring specialized training and equipment.
• Wreck diving – diving to explore shipwrecks.
• Ice diving – diving under ice, requiring special procedures and equipment.
• Commercial diving – professional diving for underwater construction, inspection, and maintenance.
• Military diving – diving for military purposes, including special operations and underwater demolition.
• Public safety diving – diving for search and rescue, recovery, and investigation by emergency services.
• Scientific diving – diving for the purpose of conducting underwater research and data collection.

Diving equipment

• Diving mask – allows divers to see clearly underwater.
• Snorkel – a tube for breathing air from above the surface while the face is submerged.
• Fins – worn on the feet to aid in swimming.
• Wetsuit – provides thermal insulation and protection.
• Drysuit – provides thermal insulation and protection, keeping the diver dry.
• Buoyancy compensator – a device that allows divers to control their buoyancy.
• Scuba set – includes the tank, regulator, and other equipment for breathing underwater.
• Dive computer – monitors depth, time, and decompression status.
• Dive watch – a watch designed for underwater use.
• Dive knife – a tool for cutting and safety.
• Underwater camera – used for taking photographs and videos underwater.

Related pages

• Underwater diving
• Scuba diving
• Technical diving
• Commercial diving
• Military diving
• Public safety diving
• Scientific diving
• Freediving
• Diving equipment
• Diving safety