diving, deep-sea

diving, deep-sea, act of descending into deep water, generally with some form of breathing apparatus, and remaining there for an extended period. It is used in fishing for sponges, coral, and pearls; in work on the underwater parts of bridges, docks, and other structures; in examining and repairing the underwater parts of ships; in recovering valuables from sunken ships; in raising sunken ships to the surface; and in certain military operations, including reconnaissance and sabotage.

Sections in this article:

• Introduction
• Development of Diving Vessels
• The Development of Diving Equipment
• Early Diving
• Scuba Diving
• Helmet Diving Suits
• Bibliography

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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