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Scuba Diving Dictionary

Scuba Diving Dictionary Landing Page Description

Whether you’re a new diver or one who’s returning to the sport, or even if you’re a frequent diver with the occasional question that needs answering, you’ll discover that our dive dictionary is a very useful scuba diving resource. Here, you’ll see a comprehensive list of scuba diving terms, along with acronyms and so much more.  Using our scuba dictionary to locate diving terms is quick and easy; just choose a letter or number and click on it, or simply enter a keyword to find its definition. Be sure to contact us if you’re looking for diving terms, acronyms, or any other type of scuba-related jargon you cannot uncover here. We’ll do our best to keep updating our diving dictionary so you can find the answers you need, when you need them.

A

A-flag

An alpha or alfa flag is used to signal "I have a diver down; keep clear and travel at a slow speed".

AAAS
American Association for the Advancement of Science
AAG
Association of American Geographers
Abaft
On a boat, toward the stern in relation to a part of the boat like the mast; to the rear of
Abalone

A marine gastropod of the genus Haliotis which has a bowlike shell with a row of respiratory holes along the outer edge

Abdomen

Also known as belly; the part of the body that is situated between the thorax and the pelvis which encloses all abdominal organs including the stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, and spleen

Abdominal Hernia

Occurs when a portion of an organ or tissue protrudes through a weakened area of the abdominal wall, divers may experience an abdominal hernia due to the effects of pressure on gas within a loop of intestine

Abeam

On a line at right angles to the keel of a vessel

ABLJ

Adjustable Buoyancy Life Jacket 

Aboard

To be on a ship or boat 

Abort

To terminate a dive task before it is completed

Above

To be at a higher level  

Abreast

Lying or moving side by side

Absolute Pressure

The total amount of pressure that is exerted on the body at a given depth which is equal to the sum of the gauge value and the atmospheric pressure. 

Absorption

Also known as suction, the process in which something is absorbed by another

Absorption

The process in which something is sucked in or absorbed by another, eventually disappearing

Abyss

A very deep place in the ocean where the temperature does not exceed 39 degrees Fahrenheit; and where the depth range is between 8,000-19,000 feet.

Abyssal Hill

A small topographic feature of the deep ocean floor with heights ranging from 2,000-3,000 feet and widths that are a few miles wide

Acapnia

A condition in which there is an unusually low level of carbon dioxide within the blood and tissues which often results from rapid or deep breaths

Accelerate

To increase the speed of a physical object

Accelerometer

A device for measuring the acceleration of a vessel, automobile, aircraft, and many other objects

Accessible

Capable of being approached, reached, or entered

Accessory

A supplementary item that when added to something else makes it more desirable or useful

Accident

An incident that occurs unexpectedly and unintentionally which often results in harm, injury, damage, or loss

Acidosis

A clinical term used to describe an abnormal increase in the body’s fluids or tissues which often results from a depletion of alkaline reserves or from the accumulation of too much acid

Acoustic

Pertaining to sound, the sense of hearing, or the science of sound

Actinia

A sea anemone, specifically from the genus Actinia, which are commonly found in rock pools

Actinometer

Used in meteorology, a device used to measure the intensity of radiation, specifically ultraviolet radiation

Actual Bottom Time (ABT)

The amount of time, in minutes, that a diver has spent underwater, beginning with the initial descent to the start of the ascent to the surface after completing a dive

ACUC

American Canadian Underwater Certifications; a scuba certification body in Canada

Adapter

A device that enables you to join pieces of equipment which are not capable of being connected directly

ADEC

Asian Diver Exhibition and Conference

Adenitis

Also known as lymphadenitis, the inflammation of a gland or lymph node

Adhesive

A sticky substance, such as glue, which allows something to adhere to a object or surface quickly

Adjust

To change an item slightly so that it fits, conforms, or corresponds

Adrenaline

The hormone, epinephrine, that is secreted as a result of stimulation to the central nervous system which often increases heart rate, pulse rate, and blood pressure

Adrift

Floating without control; not held securely or loose from the mooring

ADV

Adjustable Diving Vest

Aeration

Also known as aerification, the process of exposing a liquid or substance to air

Aerobe

A microrganism that must live in the presence of oxygen and requires it for growth

Aerobic

Active, living, or occurring only when oxygen is present

Aerobiosis

Life sustained by an organism in an environment that contains air or oxygen

Aerodontalgia

Toothache that is often caused by a change in the atmospheric pressure at high altitudes

Aerophagia

The swallowing of air

AGI

American Geological Institute

Aground

On the bottom; often in shallow water

AI

Assistant Instructor

AIDA

Worldwide federation for breath-hold diving

Allergen

Any substance that is capable of inducing an allergy

Allergy

An abnormal reaction from the body due to an encounter with an allergen such as pollen, dust, or a particular food

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