What Is A SCUBA Tank?
Lauren Collison October 25th, 2022 Posted In: Articles Tags: SCUBA
What Is A SCUBA Tank?
What is a SCUBA tank you ask? A SCUBA tank is a cylindrical container holding the invisible mixture of gasses we humans need to breathe. Yep, a SCUBA tank holds air! Well, more specifically compressed air.
SCUBA tanks come in a variety of sizes, depending on what they’re being used for. Most, if not all, tanks are also made from aluminum or steel. SCUBA tanks also come with an assortment of valves. Not just for releasing pressure or for increasing capacity, but also for safety.
Why Are SCUBA Tanks Important?
That compressed air being held within a steel tank could be the difference between life and death when you’re deep underwater enjoying the aquatic views. And while a SCUBA tank adds extra weight, it’s a must-have for throughly and safely enjoying your dive.
In fact, there wouldn’t be SCUBA without its cylindrical partner. Hence why the abbreviation of SCUBA is Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. A tank is what lets you be able to breathe underwater without having to constantly come up for air. (That’s more in the snorkeling family.)
For full SCUBA diving safety and enjoyment, grab your SCUBA tank, SCUBA diving wetsuit, and accessories for protection.
Steel VS Aluminum Tanks
As we mentioned earlier in our ‘What is a SCUBA tank?’ discussion, tanks are either made from steel or from aluminum. What’s the difference though?
A steel cylindrical tank is pretty tough and can take a beating externally. But because they’re made with steel, they need to be properly cared for in order to avoid rust inside. No one wants to breathe in rusty air!
Aluminum tanks on the other hand are more prone to external damage and dents. But they do resist corrosion compared to steel.
In Conclusion
SCUBA tanks can be tricky business. They need to be selected correctly. Properly cared for and tended. And need to be inspected and tested every so often to ensure complete safety. We could keep going into the mundane and technical details of what SCUBA tanks are and what they’re made of, but you get the gist. SCUBA tanks are a necessary device to use during your diving adventures!
