Question: What does the acronym SCUBA stand for?
Show answer
Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus.
The acronym SCUBA stands for “Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus.” This term is widely used to refer to the equipment that allows divers to breathe underwater for extended periods of time without relying on a surface supply of air.
Developed in the mid-20th century, scuba gear is a pivotal component of underwater diving, including recreational diving, professional, commercial, military, and scientific diving activities. The key components of a typical scuba set include a mouthpiece, a set of regulators to control the flow of air, and one or more tanks filled with compressed air or a suitable breathing gas mix.
With scuba equipment, divers can explore the underwater world with a great deal of freedom, going beyond the limited depth and duration possible with breath-hold diving or the tethered dives of earlier surface-supplied diving apparatus. It has opened the door to many underwater activities and professions, including marine biology research, archaeological exploration, and underwater construction, among others.