 A museum display of a variety of different underwater breathing apparatus configurations | |
| Acronym | UBA |
|---|---|
| Uses | provision of breathing gas to an underwater diver |
| Related items | Breathing apparatus, diving equipment, life-support equipment |
Underwater breathing apparatus is equipment which allows the user to breathe underwater. The three major categories of ambient pressure underwater breathing apparatus are:
- Open circuit scuba, where the diver carries the gas supply, and exhaled gas is exhausted to the environment[1]
- Diving rebreather, where the diver carries the gas supply, and exhaled gas is recycled for further use,[1] and
- Surface-supplied diving equipment, where the gas supply is provided from the surface through a hose, usually in a diver's umbilical,[1] but also sometimes from a simple air hose.
Two other types may also be identified:
- Escape sets provide a limited amount of breathing gas to allow the user to reach the surface from a disabled vessel or vehicle.[2]
- Atmospheric pressure underwater breathing apparatus is also used in the form of armoured atmospheric diving suits, which maintain an internal pressure approximating surface pressure.[3]