SCUBA DIVING

The word 'SCUBA' is an acronym for "Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus", but it has become acceptable to refer to 'scuba equipment' or 'scuba apparatus'. The term SCUBA in common usage usually means open-circuit equipment in which gas (usually air) is breathed from a tank of compressed gas and then exhaled into the water, usually in the line of kit development started by Emile Gagnan and Jacques-Yves Cousteau. But rebreathers (both semi-closed circuit and closed circuit) are also self-contained systems and could be classed as SCUBA. The term SCUBA arose during WWII and originally meant USA combat frogmen's oxygen rebreathers. Read More >>

Oceans (from Ὠκεανός Okeanos in Greek , the ancient Greeks noticing the strong current that flowed off Gibraltar and assuming it was a great river) cover almost three quarters (71%) of the surface of the Earth , and nearly half of the world's marine waters are over 3,000 meters (9,800 ft) deep. That's a lot of area to explore!

Travel through our site - find what lies beneath our great oceans, from Whales to Reefs to Underwater Treasure. Great Travel Ideas, Safety Tips and Incredible True Stories. Enjoy!

The Wreck of the Libelle

Wake Island first received international attention with the wreck of the Libelle. On the night of March 4, 1866 the barque Libelle of Bremen, Germany struck the eastern reef of Wake Island during a gale.

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