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Glossary of underwater diving terminology: P–S

This is a glossary of technical terms, jargon, diver slang and acronyms used in underwater diving. The definitions listed are in the context of underwater diving. There may be other meanings in other contexts.

Underwater diving can be described as a human activity – intentional, purposive, conscious and subjectively meaningful sequence of actions. Underwater diving is practiced as part of an occupation, or for recreation, where the practitioner submerges below the surface of the water or other liquid for a period which may range between seconds to the order of a day at a time, either exposed to the ambient pressure or isolated by a pressure resistant suit, to interact with the underwater environment for pleasure, competitive sport, or as a means to reach a work site for profit, as a public service, or in the pursuit of knowledge, and may use no equipment at all, or a wide range of equipment which may include breathing apparatus, environmental protective clothing, aids to vision, communication, propulsion, maneuverability, buoyancy and safety equipment, and tools for the task at hand.

Many of the terms are in general use by English speaking divers from many parts of the world, both amateur and professional, and using any of the modes of diving. Others are more specialised, variable by location, mode, or professional environment. There are instances where a term may have more than one meaning depending on context, and others where several terms refer to the same concept, or there are variations in spelling. A few are loan-words from other languages.

There are five sub-glossaries, listed here. The tables of content should link between them automatically:

Glossary of underwater diving terminology: A–C
Glossary of underwater diving terminology: D–G
Glossary of underwater diving terminology: H–O
Glossary of underwater diving terminology: P–S
Glossary of underwater diving terminology: T–Z

P

Subsection: Top, Pa, Pe, Pi, Po, Pu

Pa

panic

Main article: Panic

A sudden sensation of fear which is so strong as to dominate or prevent reason and logical thinking, replacing it with overwhelming feelings of anxiety and frantic agitation consistent with an irrational fight-or-flight reaction

parallel compartments

See: Decompression theory#Perfusion limited tissues and parallel tissue models

A decompression model comprising a group of tissues with varied rates of perfusion, but supplied by blood of approximately equivalent gas concentration. It is assumed that there is no gas transfer between tissue compartments by diffusion. This results in a parallel set of independent tissues, each with its own rate of ingassing and outgassing dependent on the rate of blood flowing through the tissue

partial pressure

Main article: Partial pressure

(Abbreviation PP or pp) The pressure that a component gas of a gas mixture would exert if it alone was present in the volume occupied by the gas mixture.

partial pressure gradient

Also: concentration gradient

See: Molecular diffusion

The rate of change of partial pressure of dissolved gas through a solvent, which is the driving mechanism for diffusion through the solvent. Also loosely used to refer to the difference between the dissolved gas pressure in a tissue and ambient pressure.

passive addition

See: Rebreather#Passive addition semi-closed circuit

Feed gas addition system for semi-closed circuit rebreathers which discharges a part of the gas in the breathing circuit. fresh gas is added when the volume of the circuit decreases during inhalation and triggers the addition valve. Compare with active addition.

patent foramen ovale

See: patent foramen ovale

A common form of congenital heart defect that enables blood flow between the left and right atria through a gap in the interatrial septum. In some circumstances this may increase risk of decompression sickness if venous blood carrying gas bubbles is shunted into the arterial system, bypassing the pulmonary capillary network filter.

Subsection: Top, Pa, Pe, Pi, Po, Pu

Pe

pendulum rebreather

Also: "push-pull rebreather"

See: Diving rebreather#Breathing gas passage configuration

Rebreather with a single breathing hose from the mouthpiece to the scrubber and counterlung. Gas passes through it in both directions, unlike the one-way breathing loop configuration. The volume of the hose between the mouthpiece and scrubber is dead space

penetration

See: Penetration diving

Entering a region with no direct vertical access to the surface, such as a cave or the interior of a wreck.

penetration line

See: distance line

percolation

Cave diving: Bubbles making their way to the walls and the ceiling of the cave and dislodging silt.

perfusion

Main article: Perfusion

The passage of fluid through the circulatory system or lymphatic system to an organ or a tissue, usually referring to the delivery of blood to a capillary bed in tissue.

perfusion limited

See: Decompression theory#Deterministic models

The assumption in a decompression model that perfusion has the dominant influence on gas uptake and release. Compare with diffusion limited.

permanent stamp markings

permanent markings

stamp markings

See Diving cylinder#Permanent stamp markings

Text and symbols stamped into the metal of the shoulder of a diving cylinder providing obligatory and optional information about the cylinder.

personal locator beacon

Also: "PLB"

Main article: Emergency locator beacon

Radio beacons for personal use which are intended to indicate a person in distress who is away from normal emergency services.

personal protective equipment

personal safety equipment

Main article: Personal protective equipment

Equipment worn by personnel to reduce risk of injury at sites where it is not practicable to eliminate the hazard, including ear protectors, safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, overalls, respirators etc. Diving suits and underwater breathing apparatus are also personal protective equipment.

PFO

See: patent foramen ovale

photo quadrat

See: jump camera

A photograph of a quadrat taken for later analysis. Common in marine ecological research where in situ counting would be impractical. Quadrats may be identified by rigid frames or by a fixed camera to subject distance.

Subsection: Top, Pa, Pe, Pi, Po, Pu

Pi

pig

See: Pigging#Pipeline Inspection Gauge

Pipeline inspection gauge: A tool that is sent through a pipeline and propelled by the pressure of the product in the pipeline itself, for purposes such as cleaning, dewatering, inspecting, measuring, separation of contents, etc.

pigtail

Coiled section of pipe to provide greater flexibility.

pillar valve

See cylinder valve

pin index connection

Main article: Pin Index Safety System

Standard connection type for portable medical oxygen cylinder valves and regulators.

pipeline end manifold

Also: "PLEM"

See: Pipeline end manifold

The place where a flexible underwater hose string is attached to connect a seabed pipeline with a single point mooring.

piston bolt

See: bolt snap

placement

1. Securing the guideline as it is being run.

2. The choice of primary and secondary tie offs of the guideline.

3. The laying of fresh concrete.

PLB

See personal locator beacon

PLEM

See: pipeline end manifold

pneumo breathing

See: Surface-supplied diving skills#Breathing from a pneumofathometer hose

Use of the pneumofathometer hose to supply breathing gas to a surface supplied diver in an emergency. Supply can be from the diver's own pneumo hose or from a standby diver's pneumo hose.

pneumofathometer

Also: "pneumo", "Kluge-Pneumo"

See: Pneumofathometer

Instrument to measure the depth of a diver, which measures the ambient pressure at the diver by measuring the pressure in a hose filled with air with an open end at the diver and with the surface end connected to a gas supply, control valve and pressure gauge calibrated in msw, fsw, or often both.

pneumothorax

Main article: Pneumothorax

Air or other breathing gas in the chest cavity, outside of the lung, particularly between the pulmonary pleurae, sometimes resulting in a collapsed lung.

Subsection: Top, Pa, Pe, Pi, Po, Pu

Po

pony cylinder

pony bottle

pony tank

Main article: pony cylinder

Relatively small scuba set, usually carried as an independent alternative breathing gas source by a recreational scuba diver.

P-port

A large bore airtight quick connector fitting designed and used by Dräger on diving and firefighting breathing apparatus, for ambient pressure breathing gas connections, which has been used in rebreathers, particularly modifications, and full-face masks. Part of the Dräger P-connector system.

positive displacement

See: Positive displacement compressor, positive displacement pump

(of compressor) A configuration that compresses gas by reducing the volume of the compression chamber (eg. cylinder) by mechanical means (eg. piston) to produce higher pressure of the contents which flow out via the exhaust port, usually through a non-return valve.

May also refer to a pump in which a fixed volume is transferred during each cycle, relatively independent of inlet and outlet pressures.

positive pressure breathing

positive static lung load

See: Human physiology of underwater diving#Positive and negative pressure breathing

Breathing against an external pressure slightly greater than the relaxed pressure in the lungs. More effort is needed to exhale, less to inhale. This can occur when using a positive pressure mask, front mounted counterlungs on a rebreather, or if in a steep head down position with a single-hose demand valve.

positive pressure mask

See: Full-face diving mask#Positive pressure

A full-face mask which maintains an internal pressure slightly higher than external ambient pressure, necessitating slight positive pressure breathing, and ensuring that if the mask skirt seal fails, gas will leak out, rather than water leaking in, which provides a more secure airway and provides some protection against contaminated water.

precautionary stop

precautionary decompression stop

See: safety stop

pre-fill external inspection

See: Diving cylinder#Pre-fill inspection and recording of details

Examination of the external condition of a pressure vessel and fittings to ensure that it complies with requirements before accepting for filling.

pre-mix

See: Gas blending for scuba diving#Blending nitrox

Nitrox blend supplied in bulk containers for decanting or boosting for direct use, or with high oxygen content used to blend nitrox of lower oxygen content by topping up the decanted pre-mix with air.

pressure transducer

Also: pressure sensor

Main: Pressure transducer

A component that produces an output signal proportional to a pressure input, which can be processed to give an output indicating the pressure. Used in dive computers, electronic pressure gauges, and pressure transmitters, among other uses.

pressure transmitter

Also: wireless pressure transmitter

See: pressure transmitter

Pressure transducer (q.v.) with a wireless transmitter that sends a coded signal to the diver's dive computer which uses the data to display remaining cylinder pressure, which can in some applications be used to provide other gas management information.

primary light

The main light to be used on a dive. Usually the most powerful.

primary regulator

the regulator which the diver intends to breathe from for most of the dive. Particularly when diving with back-mounted manifolded twin cylinders.

primary tie-off

First tie off of the guideline in a penetration dive. This is usually made in a place with free vertical access to the surface.

professional diving

Main article: Professional diving

Also: occupational diving

Diving which is done as part of the diver's employment or professional occupation. Definitions vary in different jurisdictions.

progressive penetration

See: Wreck diving#Progressive penetration

An incremental approach to cave and wreck exploration. Each dive goes a bit further so that the divers develop a familiarity with the environment.

PRV

See: Pressure relief valve

Type of safety valve used to control or limit the pressure in a system.

psi

See: Pounds per square inch

Unit of pressure in the Imperial system.

PTT

See: Push-to-talk

Push to talk: Voice communication systems which require the user to press a button to transmit. Used with through water systems to conserve battery power.

Subsection: Top, Pa, Pe, Pi, Po, Pu

Pu

public safety diving

Main article: public safety diving

The underwater work conducted by law enforcement, fire department rescue, and search & rescue/recovery dive teams.

pull

1. A relatively long pull on a lifeline when used for rope signals. (see "bell" for comparison).

2. Part of an ascent between the bottom and a decompression stop, between decompression stops, or to the surface. Possibly deriving from the practice of the diver's tender pulling a surface-supplied diver up by the umbilical or lifeline, and stopping the ascent at the depths planned for staged decompression.

pulmonary over-inflation syndrome

See Barotrauma

Also: POIS

Pulmonary barotrauma of ascent related diseases. Lung over-pressure injury which may manifest as arterial gas embolism, pneumothorax, tension pneumothorax, mediastinal emphysema, subcutaneous emphysema or occasionally pneumopericardium.

purge

1. To press the purge button on a demand valve to induce a gas flow which is intended to clear the demand valve, full-face mask, or demand helmet interior of water or other substances.

2. Flush the breathing circuit of an oxygen rebreather to remove residual inert gas.

purge button

See: Purge button

Button or flexible area on the front or side of a demand valve which allows the user to manually open the second stage valve to provide gas flow without inhalation.

purge valve

See: Purge valve

Also: drain valve

Non-return valve in snorkel or mask which allows water to drain either under gravity or as a result of exhalation into the air space

push gradient

Tech diving jargon: Decompress at a high gradient factor, particularly when exceeding the baseline M-value. This will expose the diver to a higher risk of developing decompression sickness while reducing time decompressing in the water.

push-pull rebreather

See: pendulum rebreather

P-valve

Also: "Pee-valve"

See: Dry suit#The P-valve

A valved catheter fitted to a dry suit, which enables a diver to urinate at any time without having to get out of the water.

Pyle stop

See: Pyle stop

Named after Richard Pyle, an early advocate of deep stops. An additional brief deep decompression stop, typically 2 minutes long and half way between the maximum depth and the first conventional decompression stop.

Q

quick link

Oval connector shaped like a chain link with a screw gate on one side.

quad

A group of high pressure gas storage cylinders mounted upright on a frame and manifolded together. Usually in 4, 6, 9, 12, or 16 cylinder arrangements.

quadrat

Main article Quadrat

R

Subsection: Top, Ra, Re, Ri, Ro, Ru

Ra

rams head

Also: "cobra guard", valve cage

Frame attached to the top of back-mounted scuba cylinders to protect valves, manifold, and regulator first stages from impact with the surroundings.

rapture of the deep

See: nitrogen narcosis

rash guard

rash vest

rashie

Main article: rash guard

A shirt made of spandex and nylon or polyester, worn to protect against rashes caused by abrasion, and jellyfish stings. These shirts can be worn by themselves, in tropical water, or under a wetsuit.

Rat hat

Ratcliffe diving helmet, Designed by Bob Ratcliffe (engineer), later produced by Oceaneering International. No longer in production.

ratio decompression

Also: "ratio deco"

Main article: Ratio decompression

A technique for calculating decompression schedules for scuba divers engaged in deep diving without using dive tables, decompression software or a dive computer.

RDP

See: Recreational Dive Planner

Subsection: Top, Ra, Re, Ri, Ro, Ru

Re

rebreather

Main article: Diving rebreather

See also: gas extender and reclaim system

Underwater breathing apparatus which recycles most of the exhaled gas, removing carbon dioxide and topping up oxygen before the gas is breathed again.

reciprocating compressor

Also: piston compressor

Main article: Reciprocating compressor

Compressor in which the volume of the compression chamber/s is cyclically changed by reversing linear motion. Usually a positive-displacement compressor that uses pistons driven by a crankshaft to deliver gases a raised pressure.

reclaim helmet

See: Reclaim helmet

Diving helmet with a reclaim gas regulator allowing exhaled gas to be safely returned to the surface through an additional hose on the umbilical.

reclaim regulator

See: Reclaim regulator

A diving regulator designed to safely return exhaled gas to a reclaim hose at lower than ambient pressure. Function is similar to a BIBS exhaust valve.

reclaim system

See: Gas reclaim system

System for recovering helium based breathing gas used by divers and recycling it.

recompression

See: Recompression

1. Subjecting a diver to pressure after an ascent from a dive as treatment for decompression illness. Preferably done in a recompression chamber, but occasionally done as in-water recompression.

2. Returning a diver to pressure as the first stage of surface decompression or omitted decompression procedure to prevent decompression sickness from developing.

recompression chamber

Main article: Recompression chamber

A hyperbaric chamber used to treat divers suffering from certain diving disorders such as decompression sickness.

recovery breathing

Also: "hook breathing"

See: Recovery breathing

A technique used by freedivers on surfacing to reduce the risk of surface blackout. A partial exhalation is made, followed by a quick inhalation, then the diver closes the airway and pressurises for a few seconds as if about to cough. This is repeated a few times over the first 30 seconds or so on the surface. The aim is to keep thoracic pressure slightly raised to artificially raise arterial oxygen partial pressure or prevent it from dropping in the critical seconds until newly oxygenated blood can reach the brain, and thereby prevent surface blackout. This is the same technique used by pilots during high-g maneuvers, and by mountaineers at high altitude.

recreational diving

Main article: Recreational diving

1. Recreational diving may be considered to be any underwater diving that is not occupational, professional, or commercial, in that the dive is fundamentally at the discretion of the diver, who dives either to their own plan, or to a plan developed in consensus with the other divers in the group, though dives led by a professional dive leader or instructor for non-occupational purposes are also legally classified as recreational dives in some legislations.

2. Recreational diving or sport diving is a type of diving that uses scuba equipment for the purpose of leisure and enjoyment. In some diving circles, the term "recreational diving" is used in contradistinction to "technical diving", a more demanding aspect of the sport which requires greater levels of training, experience and equipment. In other circles, technical diving is considered a subset of recreational diving as opposed to "professional diving", which is done as part of the diver's work.

Recreational Dive Planner

Also: "RDP"

Main article Recreational Dive Planner

A no-stop decompression table developed by DSAT.

red tide

See: algal bloom

reduced gradient bubble model

Main article: Reduced gradient bubble model

A computationally intensive bubble model decompression algorithm developed by Bruce Wienke.

redundancy

redundant

See: Engineering redundancy

Technical diving philosophy of ensuring that a spare or backup is available for any item of life-support equipment that would immediately endanger the diver if it were to fail.

redundant breathing gas supply

Also: redundant gas supply, fully redundant gas supply, redundant air supply etc.

See Redundant breathing gas supply

A breathing gas supply, carried by the diver, which is both suitable for the depths at which it may be breathed, and sufficient to allow the diver to make a safe and controlled return to the surface or other place where more breathing gas is available, which is not used during the dive, and is stored in one or more cylinders which are mot the one the diver is breathing from at any given time.

redundant equipment

duplicated or spare equipment carried by the diver or team to substitute for vital primary equipment in case of a malfunction. In some cases, such as cave lights, multiple redundancy may be desirable. A redundant breathing gas supply is the most common example.

reel

Mechanism used to store, deploy and recover long lengths of line at low tension.

reference temperature

Temperature at which a cylinder may be safely and legally filled to the nominal charging pressure without corrections.

regulator

1. A mechanism for controlling the output pressure of a high pressure gas supply.

2. As 1, with a demand valve (q.v.) incorporated which provides the diver with breathing gas at ambient pressure.

regulator changeout

regulator swap-out

Scuba emergency skill of swapping a correctly functioning regulator with one that is malfunctioning to gain access to breathing gas in a cylinder while underwater. Usually applied to side- or sling-mounted cylinders.

regulator freeze

See Ice diving#Regulator freezing

Locking of the regulator mechanism caused by freezing of the water due to expansion cooling of the regulated air. Often causes the mechanism to lock open, causing free flow and further cooling.

reject criteria

rejection criteria

Features, states or conditions which are not acceptable.

repetitive dives

See Decompression practice#Repetitive dives

Any dive which is done while the tissues retain residual inert gas from a previous dive.

repet-up

Commercial diving term for a type of multilevel dive, in which the depth is decreased over elapsed time, with the purpose of allowing a longer useful dive time and minimising decompression time.

Repex

Method of estimating tolerable repetitive exposure to high partial pressure oxygen.

rescue tether

A short lanyard or strap carried by a surface supplied stand-by diver to be used to tether an unresponsive diver to the standby diver during a rescue. It is attached at one end to a D-ring on the stand-by diver's harness, and has a clip at the other end which may be secured to a D-ring on the casualty's harness to allow the rescuer the use of both hands during the return to the bell or surface.

reserve gas

See Scuba gas planning#Reserve pressure and Surface-supplied diving#High-pressure reserve gas

Gas which is not intended to be used during the dive, and is reserved for contingencies.

reserve valve

See: Scuba cylinder valve#

Cylinder valve with a lever operated bypass valve to release the gas below reserve pressure.

residual gas

Gas remaining in a cylinder from the previous fill.

residual nitrogen

See: Decompression practice#Residual nitrogen time

Nitrogen in excess of normal atmospheric saturation remaining in the diver's tissues after a dive.

residual nitrogen time

Also: "RNT"

See: Decompression practice#Residual nitrogen time

Time penalty in a repetitive dive equivalent to time at depth which would produce the residual nitrogen in the diver at the start of the dive.

residual pressure

Pressure of the gas remaining in a partly used cylinder from the previous fill.

resort dive

Also: introductory dive, introductory diving experience, or trial dive

See: Introductory diving

Recreational dive by an uncertified person under the paid direct supervision of a recreational diving instructor, after a very basic training session to learn the essential safety skills in confined water. Resort dives are limited to shallow water free of significant additional hazards. No certification is gained, though the dive may count towards an entry level certification if it follows closely. Compare with try-diving and Supervised diver.

respiratory minute volume

Also: "minute ventilation"

Main article Respiratory minute volume

The volume of gas inhaled (inhaled minute volume) or exhaled (exhaled minute volume) from a person's lungs in one minute.

respiratory quotient

Main article Respiratory quotient

The ratio of carbon dioxide produced as a metabolic product to the oxygen consumed.

restriction

Section of a cave which is difficult to pass through due to lack of space. A minor restriction is too small for two divers to swim through together, a major restriction requires the diver to remove equipment to fit through.

revalidation

Certification that an item of equipment continues to be fit for service. Usually after passing the required periodic inspection and testing by an approved or authorised practitioner.

reverse block

Blockage of a sinus or eustachian tube preventing relatively high internal gas pressure from escaping.

reverse ear squeeze

Also: reverse ear, reverse squeeze, reversed ear.

Barotrauma of the ear caused by a middle ear gas space pressure greater than ambient pressure, or greater than the pressure in the external autitory canal, causing the eardrum to bulge outwards.

reverse jump

Procedure to cross a gap during an exit which allows the line to be retrieved without returning to the start point. In the event of a line break or removed primary reel, one diver holds the end of the search line at the break point, and the other searches for the other part of the broken line or the exit while laying line from the reel. When the original line or exit is found, the reel handler signals to the static diver with line pulls and the static diver swims in the direction of the line while the reel handler reels it in, recovering the line.

reverse profile

reverse dive profile

Repetitive dive which is deeper than the previous dive.

Multilevel dive in which a later level is deeper than an earlier level.

reverse sinus squeeze

Barotrauma of a sinus caused by a relatively high internal pressure.

RGBM

See: reduced gradient bubble model

Subsection: Top, Ra, Re, Ri, Ro, Ru

Ri

Rimbach system: System of touch contact signalling used in cave diving. Push forward = go, pull back = back up, squeeze = stop.
ring bungee: See also: bungee (sidemount)
Length of shock cord with metal rings and a clip used to control the position of the top end of a sidemounted cylinder. Differs from a regular bungee in having the rings. A popular configuration is a bolt snap connected to a ring by a quick link, with a length of bungee from the ring to another quick link which is used to connect the assembly to a D-ring on the back of the harness. The bolt snap is clipped to the shoulder D-ring and the cylinder neck bolt snap is clipped to the ring.
rip current: Main article Rip current
A strong localised flow of water to seaward from near the shore, typically through the surf line
riser: Main article Drilling riser
A conduit that provides a temporary extension of a subsea oil well to a surface drilling facility
RMV: See: respiratory minute volume
RNPL: Royal Naval Physiological Laboratory
RNT: See: residual nitrogen time

Subsection: Top, Ra, Re, Ri, Ro, Ru

Ro

rock boot: Footwear worn over a dry suit with integral socks suitable for walking on hard and rough surfaces and for wearing with fins. They can also be worn over neoprene socks with a wetsuit.
rock bottom gas management: See: Scuba gas planning
Retention of a breathing gas reserve based on calculated values for the amount of gas required for a safe ascent from any point in the planned dive profile. Factors such as emergency supply of gas to a buddy, air consumption rates under stress and decompression gas requirements are considered in the calculations.
roll-off: Closing of a cylinder valve as a result of scraping contact between the valve knob and the overhead or other surroundings. The left hand knob is more likely to roll-off, closing the backup regulator in the standard twins configuration. Roll-off is an emergency if the diver does not have an immediately accessible alternative breathable gas supply.
ROV
ROUV: Remotely operated underwater vehicle – A tethered underwater mobile device operated by a remote crew.
roughneck: Member of the drilling crew who works under the direction of the driller to make or break connections as drillpipe is tripped in or out of the hole.
roustabout: Any unskilled manual laborer on the rigsite.

Subsection: Top, Ra, Re, Ri, Ro, Ru

Ru

rule of thirds: See: Rule of thirds (diving)
Cave and wreck penetration breathing gas management convention where no more than one third of the gas in a cylinder may be used on the inward part of the dive, and the other two thirds is kept for exit: One third for the planned exit, and one third in case of an emergency.
run line
running line: Unreeling line under light tension while advancing. Usually in the context of laying a distance line.
run time: Time elapsed since the start of a dive.
running stop: A pause made during ascent to adjust the average ascent rate to the nominal value. For example a nominal ascent rate of 3 m per minute might use an actual ascent rate of about 5 m per minute and make a stop every 3m until the end of the current minute, resulting in a slightly stepped profile with an overall ascent rate corresponding to the nominal rate.
run time schedule: Decompression schedule and dive plan based on elapsed time from the start of the dive, All waypoints and events are specified in terms of elapsed time with start of descent at zero.
R-valve: Also: "positive reserve valve", "automatic valve", or "calibrated orifice"
A cylinder valve which limits the outflow by a calibrated orifice when in the "on" position.

S

Subsection: Top, Sa, Se, Si, So, Su

Sa

SAC rate: See: surface air consumption rate
safe air: Term used for nitrox by American Nitrox Divers International (ANDI)
safe second: Obsolete term for octopus regulator.
safety-critical element: Item of equipment or process with the purpose to prevent or limit the consequences of a high risk hazard, that if realised, could result in the fatality or severe injury of one or more divers or support crew.
safety reel: Reel with relatively short line for use in an emergency, usually for searches to find a lost buddy or lost guideline or to jump a line break.
safety spool: Spool with relatively short line for use in an emergency, usually for searches to find lost buddy or lost guideline or to jump a line break.
safety stop: See: Decompression practice#Safety stop
A voluntary (not required by the decompression schedule) additional decompression stop intended to further reduce risk of decompression sickness.
salt water aspiration syndrome: Main article: Salt water aspiration syndrome
A reaction of the lungs to inhalation of a mist of salt water.
samba: Involuntary muscular contractions experienced by breathhold divers when approaching hypoxic blackout.
Sasuba: A shallow water recreational air line diving system using a scuba cylinder on a float towed by the diver.
saturation: See: Decompression theory
Condition where the inert components of the breathing gas dissolved in a diver's tissues are in equilibrium with the gas in the lungs.
saturation diving: Main article: Saturation diving
Diving mode where the divers remain pressurised for long enough for the slowest tissues to saturate with the inert components of the breathing gas, usually for periods of several days or weeks, and decompress only at the end of the period. Decompression from saturation is controlled only by the slowest tissue.
saturation diving system
saturation spread: Main article: Saturation diving system
The combination of equipment and services to operate a saturation diving project. It would include the closed diving bell, the accommodation modules, decompression chamber, life-support systems, gas storage and supply systems, pressurisation equipment, underwater breathing apparatus, and launch and recovery systems. In may also include a hyperbaric evacuation system.

Subsection: Top, Sa, Se, Si, So, Su

Sc

SCBA

Self-contained breathing apparatus. The broader class of breathing apparatus carried by the user. Conventional usage usually refers to equipment which is not intended for underwater use, but scuba (originally self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) is technically a subclass of SCBA. Compare with breathing apparatus (BA) and underwater breathing apparatus (UBA).

schrader valve

Main article: Schrader valve

Valve using a standard automotive tyre valve insert, common in low pressure inflation hose female connectors and BC inflation valves.

scientific diving

Main article: Scientific diving

Diving for purposes of scientific research. The rules and constraints of scientific diving vary in different jurisdictions, but generally allow different options to mainstream commercial diving.

scooter

Diver propulsion vehicle used by scuba divers to increase range underwater.

scooter ring

D-ring on scuba harness used to attach to scooter tow line. Usually on front of the harness crotch strap.

SCR

1. Semi-closed circuit rebreather: A rebreather (q.v.) which either dumps part of each breath to the environment or continuously adds gas and dumps the excess. Compare with closed circuit rebreather (CCR) (q.v.).

2. Surface Consumption Rate - An alternative term with the same meaning as Surface Air Consumption (SAC) (q.v.). Not to be confused with Semi-closed Circuit Rebreather.

screw gate carabiner

Main article: Carabiner

A clip mechanism which can be locked in the closed position by turning a threaded barrel.

scrubber

See: Rebreather#Carbon dioxide scrubber

Canister containing material (sorb) which chemically combines with carbon dioxide to remove it from the gas passed through the canister.

scuba

SCUBA

Main article: Scuba set

Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. May be open or closed circuit.

scuba orienteering

Also: Underwater orienteering

Main article: Scuba orienteering

Competitive underwater sport in which scuba divers attempt to swim a circuit marked by buoys, without surfacing, using compass navigation and mechanical distance measurement. Points are awarded for time and accuracy according to the specific course definition and length.

scuba replacement

See: Scuba replacement

Mobile surface-supplied diving equipment using portable gas storage cylinders for primary and reserve breathing gas supply. Preferred to scuba for commercial diving applications due to lower perceived risk compared to scuba, and because equipment and procedures are otherwise identical to surface supplied diving using compressors for air supply. Used when logistical constraints or air quality issues preclude use of a compressor.

S-drill

Safety drill. An air sharing exercise based on deploying the long hose primary regulator.

Subsection: Top, Sa, Se, Si, So, Su

Se

search line: See: Underwater searches
Cord used to indicate the transect for a search. The diver moves along the line, searching by sight or feel on one or both sides of the line. After the transect has been searched, the line is moved to the next transect. usually a short distance offset from the previous position, at a distance which depends on the visibility and the size of the target.
search pattern: See: Underwater searches
Systematic procedure for covering the search area sufficiently to be reasonably sure of finding a given target if it is there. Several patterns are in general use for underwater searches, depending on the target, the terrain, and available facilities.
secondary drowning: Main article: Secondary drowning
A complication of aspiration of water or other fluids into the lungs.
secondary regulator: See: backup regulator
second stage: See: demand valve
The part of a diving regulator which provides pressure reduction from intermediate pressure to ambient pressure on demand. Demand valve.
self-propelled hyperbaric lifeboat (SPHL): Also: "hyperbaric lifeboat" (HLB), "hyperbaric rescue vessel" (HRV)
A pressure vessel adapted for use as a means of hyperbaric evacuation, and fitted to a conventional lifeboat hull.
semi-dry suit: See: Diving suit#Semi-dry suit
A wet suit with wrist and ankle seals, and usually a more watertight zipper than usual, to reduce flushing of water through the suit.
separator: Main article: Vapor–liquid separator
Device which facilitates the separation of liquid particles from the compressed gas, usually with a drain to periodically remove accumulated liquid from the system.
serial compartments: See: Decompression theory#Diffusion limited tissues and the "tissue slab", and series models
A decompression model based on the assumption that diffusion is the limiting mechanism of dissolved gas transport in the tissues, in which there is perfusion transport for one compartment, and diffusion between a series of compartments,
serial number: Main: Serial number; 1. Number stamped on the cylinder by the manufacturer in the shoulder area which identifies the cylinder. In combination with the manufacturer’s identification this will be unique to the cylinder.; 2. Character string, including number, marked on an item of equipment by the manufacturer to uniquely identify it.
setpoint
set-point
set point: See: Rebreather diving#Set-points
Reference value for oxygen partial pressure in an electronically controlled closed circuit rebreather. The control system monitors the real time value of oxygen partial pressure in the breathing loop and automatically adjusts the composition by adding gas to keep the concentration between the upper and lower set-points.
SGC: See also: SAC
Surface Gas Consumption

Subsection: Top, Sa, Se, Si, So, Su

Sh

shallow water blackout: Loss of consciousness during a dive associated with occurrence at a shallow depth. Used for several different mechanisms, depending on context, therefore often leading to confusion.; 1. See: Shallow-water blackout
Loss of consciousness caused by cerebral hypoxia towards the end of a breath-hold dive in water typically shallower than five metres (16 feet), when the swimmer does not necessarily experience an urgent need to breathe and has no other obvious medical condition that might have caused it.; 2. See: Freediving blackout#Terminology and latent hypoxia
Loss of consciousness caused by cerebral hypoxia at the end of a deep breath-hold dive during the latter part of the ascent or immediately after surfacing due to lowered pO₂ caused by reduction in ambient pressure, see also latent hypoxia.; 3. Loss of consciousness while ascending on a rebreather due to sudden drop of pO₂ in the breathing loop, usually associated with manual CCR and SCR.
shark pod
shark shield: Electrical device carried by a diver intended to repel sharks by electrical field pulses.
shock cord: See: bungee cord
shore diving: Diving from a shore entry point.
shot line: Main article: Diving shot
A rope between a float at the surface, and a sufficiently heavy weight holding the rope approximately vertical.

Subsection: Top, Sa, Se, Si, So, Su

Si

sidemount

Main article: Sidemount diving#Terminology

A scuba diving equipment configuration which has diving cylinders mounted alongside the diver, below the shoulders and along the hips, instead of on the back of the diver.

sidemount staging

See: Sidemount diving#Terminology

The practice of using sidemount configuration (bungee loops and/or butt-plate rails) as a means for stowing stage/deco cylinders when otherwise diving in back-mounted scuba.

silent entry

See: Scuba skills#Entries

An entry technique which minimises noise and splash, suitable for entry from a low platform. The diver sits with feet dangling over or into the water, turns their torso sideways, takes their weight on their hands, then swings off the surface and drops feet first into the water, slowed by their arms, and lets go with the hands when in the water.^: 251

silica gel

Main article: Silica gel

A desiccant filter medium used to adsorb water.

silt out

Main article: Silt out

A situation when underwater visibility is rapidly reduced to zero, usually when a diver disturbs silt deposits.

silt screw

See: Cave diving#Equipment

Device which is inserted into silt or sand to provide an anchor point, such as for a tie-off on a cave line. Silt screws are generally stakes made from small bore plastic (PVC) pipe with a sharpened end.

simultaneous operations

Two or more potentially clashing operations occurring, for example, at the same time and same location.

single point mooring

Main article: Single buoy mooring

A loading buoy anchored offshore, that serves as a mooring point and interconnect for tankers loading or offloading gas or liquid products. SPMs are the link between geostatic subsea manifold connections and weathervaning tankers. They are capable of handling any size ship, even very large crude carriers (VLCC) where no alternative facility is available

sinkhole

Main article: Sinkhole

A natural depression or hole in the Earth's surface caused by karst processes — the chemical dissolution of carbonate rocks – or suffosion processes for example in sandstone

sintered

Main article: Sintering

Particulate or granular material bonded together by the application of pressure and sufficient heat to partially melt the surface of the particles and weld them together. The product is usually porous.

siphon

Place where water from a stream flows into the ground. also "swallow hole"

skandalopetra

Main article: Skandalopetra diving

A flat stone, usually of marble or granite, weighing between 8 and 14 kg, with rounded corners and edges, and tied to a rope, historically used by Greek sponge free-divers to assist descent. When the diver wishes to ascend the rope is used to signal the tender on the boat who then pulls in the rope. Currently skandalopetra diving is a competitive sport.

skin

skins

See: dive skins

skip breathing

See: Skip breathing

Breathing pattern where the diver holds each breath a while to conserve breathing gas, which can cause hypercapnia which can lead to headaches, aggravate nitrogen narcosis, increase risk of oxygen toxicity, and reduce physiological reserves in an emergency.

skirt

1. The body of a diving mask providing a watertight seal between the lens and the face.^: 4–17

2. The jacket and trouser waist flaps of a two-piece dry suit, which are overlapped and rolled together to provide a watertight seal.^{: Ch. 1}

S-lay

See: Submarine pipeline#The S-lay system

Method of laying undersea pipelines by welding the sections together on the lay barge and deploying them from the stern horizontally guided by a "stinger" - a structure that supports the pipe string to control its bend radius. The term refers to the shape of the bend in the pipe which transitions from roughly horizontal onboard where the sections are welded together, to angled downward over the stinger, to roughly horizontal again as it settles on the seabed.

slate

Also: diver's slate and wrist slate

So

solo diving

Main article: Solo diving

The practice of scuba diving alone, without a dive buddy or in-water standby diver.

sonic orifice

See: Choked flow

Metering device to provide constant mass flow of a gas.

sorb

Also: "sodasorb", "sodalime" and "sofnolime"

See" Diving rebreather#Carbon dioxide scrubber

Carbon dioxide absorbent material used in rebreather or life support system scrubber to remove carbon dioxide from the breathing gas so it may be recycled.

Subsection: Top, Sa, Se, Si, So, Su

Sp

speargun

Main article: Speargun

Hunting weapon for shooting fish underwater which propels a barbed steel spear a short distance forward using stored energy from stretched rubber strips or compressed air behind a captive piston.

spearo

Slang term for breathhold spearfisher.

speech unscrambler

Also: "helium unscrambler" and "unscrambler"

See: Diver communications#Equipment

An electronic device to render words spoken in a hyperbaric helium environment intelligible.

speleogen

Main article: Speleogen

Dissolution features in bedrock.

speleothem

Main article: Speleothem

Also known as a cave formation: A secondary mineral deposit formed in a cave.

SPG

See: submersible pressure gauge

SPHL

See: Self-propelled hyperbaric lifeboat

spider

See: Full-face diving mask#Straps

Mask strap system for full-face masks with three or more straps. (commonly 5)

spitcock

See: Standard diving dress#Helmet

A valve in the side of a copper diving helmet which could be used by the diver to suck in a mouthful of seawater to spit onto the inside face of a viewport to wash off condensation droplets to improve their view.

SPM

See: single point mooring

spool

1. See: Distance line#Spools
Circular device for storing line, comprising a short tubular section with a relatively large flange at each end. No moving parts. A small, compact, economical and reliable alternative to a reel for relatively short lines.

2. Short, straight section of pipe or tube with a flange at each end. Also a wider range of short weldments for various purposes as components of a piping system assembled from sections of pipe, flanges and other fittings.

spread

The topside base for (usually) surface supplied commercial diving operations. Also "air spread" and "saturation spread" (q.v.) depending on the diving mode.

spring

See: Spring (hydrology)

Place where a concentrated flow of water emerges from the ground.

spring strap

See:Swimfin#Attachment

Fin strap using a stainless steel spring to secure the fin to the foot.

spring suit

A wetsuit that covers the torso and has short sleeves and long or short legs

spud

spud pile

1. A vertical steel shaft like a pile, temporarily or permanently driven into the seabed to maintain the lateral position of a barge or structure

2. A short rigid column driven into the ground and then removed to make a hole to initiate driving a pile, or to break through a hard layer.

spud can

The foot on a leg of a Jack-up rig oil platform designed to spread the load so that the rig does not sink too deeply into the sea-bed. Commonly a wide shallow conical disc structure to support the weight, with a penetrating central tip to resist lateral sliding, though details vary.

spud well

spud pocket

A vertical sleeve for a spud that is attached to a spud barge to support and guide a mooring spud on a barge.

SPUMS

South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society

square profile

See: Dive profile#Square profile

Dive profile where the diver descends continuously to the maximum depth and stays there for the duration of the dive before ascending directly at a stedy rate to the surface or first decompression stop. This profile provides worst case exposure for gas absorption by the body tissues for a given depth and bottom time, and is assumed for most decompression planning using decompression tables.

squeeze

See: barotrauma

Injury or discomfort caused by increase of ambient pressure above the pressure in a gas space in contact with the diver's body, causing a pressure difference tending to squeeze body tissues into the lower pressure volume of the gas space. A cause of several kinds of barotrauma.

SSDE

Surface-supply diving equipment.

Subsection: Top, Sa, Se, Si, So, Su

St

stabiliser jacket

stabilizer jacket

stab jacket

See: buoyancy compensator

stage

1. See: diving stage

2. See: stage cylinder

3. Part of a dive in which gas is breathed from a specific stage cylinder

stage cylinder

stage bottle

See: Stage cylinder

1. A cylinder used for a stage of a long penetration dive, also known as drop cylinder when it is placed on the distance line to be collected on the return. The term may be used for the cylinder and rigging with or without a regulator

2. Also generically and loosely used to refer to decompression gas cylinders, bailout cylinders, travel gas, or bottom gas carried as sling cylinders (q.v.)

staged decompression

See: Staged decompression

The practice of making decompression stops.

stage-drop

See: stage-drop

Placing a stage cylinder at the distance line for planned later use.

stage-only diving

See: Sidemount diving#Terminology

The use of standard deco/stage cylinder configuration, without back-mounted cylinders, on an otherwise standard, or partially modified tec/rec BCD. The cylinders are attached to waist and shoulder D-Rings by direct bolt-snap, and no bungee cord is used in the upper attachment. Similar to, and may be confused with sidemount

stage rigging

See: stage rigging (scuba)

The clips, straps and cords fastened to a scuba cylinder which are used to mount it as a stage cylinder.

stage set

See: Stage set (scuba)

A scuba set to be used during a specific stage of a dive. Often rigged and carried as a sling mount or sidemount set. Sometimes dropped at the end of the outward leg of the stage, and retrieved on the return to complete the return leg of the same stage.

standard diving dress

standard dress

Also: "heavy gear"

Main article: Standard diving dress

Early free flow surface supplied diving equipment using a heavy rubberised canvas suit, copper helmet and corselet, and weighted boots. Still in use in some parts of the world.

standard diving helmet

See: Standard diving dress#Helmet, Diving helmet#Standard diving helmets (Copper hats)

The copper and brass free-flow diving diving helmet used with standard diving dress.

standard operating procedure

Main article: Standard operating procedure

Procedure compiled by an organisation prescribing the processes to be followed when performing specified tasks.

standby diver

stand-by diver

See: Standby diver

(Professional) diver functioning as a safety backup to the working diver. Often on the surface at the dive control point, but ready to enter the water at very short notice on the instruction of the supervisor. In bell diving the stand-by diver would be the bellman.

static apnea

static apnoea

Main article: Static apnea

Underwater breath-holding without changing location

static lung load

Also: "hydrostatic imbalance", "SLL"

The pressure difference between gas inside the lungs and the gas inside the mouthpiece of the breathing apparatus or inside the helmet. In most rebreathers this is the hydrostatic pressure at depth of the counterlung. In ballasted bellows counterlungs the pressure is modified by the force exerted by the ballast weight.

steamer

A full one piece Wetsuit that covers the torso and the full length of the arms and legs.

stinger

An overboard extension at the stern of an offshore pipe lay barge used to provide additional support at the over bend of an S-lay during offshore construction.

stop

See: decompression stop

storage depth

Also: "living depth"

See: Saturation diving#Accommodation

Depth pressure in a saturation system at which divers live between compression and decompression when not locked out on a dive.

stride entry

Also: "giant stride entry"

See: Scuba skills#Entries

Entry technique from a platform a small to moderate distance above the water surface, which is suitable to stand on before entry. The diver faces the water and steps out with the leading foot, pushing away from the platform with the back foot, and drops into the water while maintaining a vertical posture until fully submerged. It is usually advisable to hold loose equipment against the body, particularly the mask and DV, and if there is no crotch strap, the buoyancy compensator is held to prevent it riding up the torso on impact. The feet can be brought together after initial impact to limit depth of immersion in moderately shallow water, by applying fin thrust downwards.

stroke

Derogatory term used by DIR zealots to describe divers who do not follow DIR procedures and use DIR approved equipment and configurations.

Subsection: Top, Sa, Se, Si, So, Su

Su

subcutaneous emphysema

See: Subcutaneous emphysema

Gas under the skin resulting from lung overpressure injury.

submersible compression chamber

submersible decompression chamber

See: closed bell

A closed diving bell, used for transferring divers under pressure to and from the worksite. Particularly if used for decompression.

submersible pressure gauge

Also: "SPG"

See: Submersible pressure gauge

Gauge attached to the first stage regulator and used to monitor pressure remaining in the diving cylinder.

suicide clip

Derogatory term for clip mechanisms which are capable of clipping onto a line or other object without the active and intentional intervention of a user.

suit blowup

See: Dry suit#Over-inflation

Excessive inflation of a dry suit leading to uncontrolled ascent.

sump

Main article: Sump (cave)

A passage in a cave that is submerged under water.

sump pack

Tough waterproof bag with watertight seal used to carry dry equipment in caves, including through water filled passages.

superoxide scrubber

See: Superoxide scrubber

Rebreather scrubber which not only removes carbon dioxide from the exhaled air, but also replenishes the oxygen by chemical reaction with potassium superoxide.

supersaturation

See: Supersaturation

A temporary and thermodynamically unstable condition of a solvent containing more dissolved gas than it can hold in solution over the long term for the prevailing conditions. A necessary condition for bubble growth in decompression sickness.

supersaturation limit

The theoretical pressure ratio between tissue gas concentration and ambient pressure above which the probability of bubble formation is unacceptably high.

Supervised Diver

Main article: Supervised Diver

EN 14153-1 / ISO 24801-1 standard competence for recreational scuba diver. The level 1 "Supervised Diver" has sufficient knowledge, skill and experience to dive, in open water, to a recommended maximum depth of 12 m, which do not require in-water decompression stops, under the direct supervision of a dive leader, in groups of up to four level 1 scuba divers per dive leader provided the dive leader is capable of establishing physical contact with all level 1 scuba divers at any point during the dive, only when appropriate support is available at the surface, and under conditions that are equal or better than the conditions where they were trained.

supervisor

See: diving supervisor

supply lock

See: Supply lock

Small lock on a saturation life support habitat for transfer of relatively small items.

support diver

See: Support diver

A voluntary member of a technical diving team who acts as a stand-by diver to the primary dive team, or provides in-water logistical support for a dive.

SurD

See: surface decompression

surf

See: Breaking wave

The mass or line of broken water formed by waves breaking on a shore or reef

surface air consumption rate

A measure of air consumption in units of pressure over time, usually psi/minute, adjusted to surface pressure, used to estimate air endurance of a cylinder of specific size. Useful for those who work in imperial units. SAC has a constant value for a given diver and represents gas used on the surface at rest. Surface gas consumption (SGC) is an alternative term referring to alternative breathing gas mixtures. Occasionally also termed surface consumption rate (SCR)

surface compression chamber

A hyperbaric chamber for surface use for routine decompression or therapeutic recompression.

surface decompression

See: Decompression practice#Surface decompression

A procedure in which some or all of the staged decompression obligation is done in a decompression chamber immediately after surfacing instead of in the water.

surface detection aids

Equipment, such as flags, surface marker buoys, flares, EPIRBs, radio beacons mirrors, and whistles, carried by divers to maintain contact with dive boats or attract rescue when lost at sea.

surface equivalent volume

References

Sources

Staff (August 2016). Guidance for diving supervisors IMCA D 022 (Revision 1 ed.). London, UK: International Marine Contractors Association.
US Navy (2008). US Navy Diving Manual, 6th revision. United States: US Naval Sea Systems Command. Retrieved 15 June 2008.

External links

Schlumberger Oilfield Glossary

Text submitted to CC-BY-SA license. Source: Glossary of underwater diving terminology: P–S by Wikipedia (Historical)

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