The modern term scuba was originally the acronym SCUBA, which is short for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.

In contemporary usage, scuba as a common noun relates to the practice of recreational diving aided by a two-stage regulator attached to a gas canister (usually air or enriched-air nitrox) affixed to a vest. This vest, called a buoyancy compensator, contains air bladders to help the recreational diver maintained neutral buoyancy within the water column.

In its earlier usage, SCUBA (the acronym) referred specifically to the equipment a diver used for the dive. The modern term differs from commercial and military diving, which generally does not use the term scuba and instead refers generally to diving.

The modern term scuba was originally the acronym SCUBA, which is short for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.

In contemporary usage, scuba as a common noun relates to the practice of recreational diving aided by a two-stage regulator attached to a gas canister (usually air or enriched-air nitrox) affixed to a vest. This vest, called a buoyancy compensator, contains air bladders to help the recreational diver maintained neutral buoyancy within the water column.

In its earlier usage, SCUBA (the acronym) referred specifically to the equipment a diver used for the dive. The modern term differs from commercial and military diving, which generally does not use the term scuba and instead refers generally to diving.

The modern term scuba was originally the acronym SCUBA, which is short for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.

In contemporary usage, scuba as a common noun relates to the practice of recreational diving aided by a two-stage regulator attached to a gas canister (usually air or enriched-air nitrox) affixed to a vest. This vest, called a buoyancy compensator, contains air bladders to help the recreational diver maintained neutral buoyancy within the water column.

In its earlier usage, SCUBA (the acronym) referred specifically to the equipment a diver used for the dive. The modern term differs from commercial and military diving, which generally does not use the term scuba and instead refers generally to diving.

The modern term scuba was originally the acronym SCUBA, which is short for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.

In contemporary usage, scuba as a common noun relates to the practice of recreational diving aided by a two-stage regulator attached to a gas canister (usually air or enriched-air nitrox) affixed to a vest. This vest, called a buoyancy compensator, contains air bladders to help the recreational diver maintained neutral buoyancy within the water column.

In its earlier usage, SCUBA (the acronym) referred specifically to the equipment a diver used for the dive. The modern term differs from commercial and military diving, which generally does not use the term scuba and instead refers generally to diving.