ABCs of Diving – Letter C

Welcome, fellow diving enthusiasts! Whether you’re an experienced diver or just dipping your toes into the underwater world, understanding the language of scuba diving is essential for a safe and enjoyable experience. Welcome to the ABCs of Diving, where we will explore different scuba diving terms as we go through the alphabet. To read previous posts from this column check out our other blogs. Today we continue with the letter C: 

Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Carbon dioxide is a gas exhaled by divers as a natural part of breathing. It’s important to manage CO2 levels during dives to prevent hypercapnia, which can lead to impaired judgement and other health risks.

Cave Diving: Cave diving involves exploring underwater caves, requiring specialized training and equipment due to the potential hazards such as restricted spaces, low visibility, and navigation challenges.

C-card (Certification Card): A C-card is proof that a diver has completed a certified diving course and is qualified to dive within certain limits. It’s essential for renting equipment and participating in dives.

Command Signal: Underwater communication is vital, and command signals are hand signals used by divers to communicate with each other or their dive leader. These signals convey instructions, warnings, or requests.

Compressed Air: Compressed air is the most common breathing gas used by recreational divers. It consists mainly of nitrogen and oxygen, compressed to a high pressure to match the surrounding water pressure at depth.

Cyanosis: Cyanosis is a medical condition where the skin or lips appear bluish due to insufficient oxygen in the blood. It can occur in divers if they ascend too quickly (leading to decompression sickness) or if they experience other respiratory or circulatory issues.

Diving opens up a world of wonder and challenge, but safety always comes first. Familiarizing yourself with these terms is a step toward becoming a knowledgeable and responsible diver. Whether you’re exploring coral reefs, shipwrecks, or underwater caves, each dive is a chance to discover the beauty and mysteries beneath the surface. Happy diving!