You are here

Home >> Dive Resources >> Scuba Diving Dictionary

Warning message

The subscription service is currently unavailable. Please try again later.

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.

N

Nitrogen

A colorless, odorless, tasteless, nontoxic inert gas that forms approximately 78% of the Earth’s atmosphere

NOAA

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Nystagmus

Involuntary, rapid movement of the eyes

O

O-ring

A small flat ring made of rubber or plastic which is often used to seal joints against high pressure

O.D.

Abbreviation for outside diameter

Occipital

Referring to the occiput or occipital bone

Occlude

To close off or obstruct an opening, passage, or orifice

Oceanography

The science that studies the ocean and its phenomena 

Octopus

A cephalopod with bilateral symmetry; an octopus has two eyes, four pairs of arms, and a powerful beak-like jaw which it uses to inflict a painful bite to its aggressors or prey; some species of octopus are venomous

Odograph

An instrument which records the distance and course traveled by a vessel

Off Gassing

Reducing the amount of nitrogen and or other inert gases in the body

Offshore Bar

A shoal, sandbar, or gravelbar that is built by the action of waves or currents which often runs parallel to the coastline

Offshore Currents

Currents that flow away from the shore or that are outside of the surf zone

Olfactory

Pertains to the sense of smell; the olfactory organs

Organism

The material structure of an individual animal, plant, or single-celled life form

Osteitis

Inflammation that occurs within the bone or bony tissue

Osteoneuralgia

Bone pain

Otic

Relating to the ear

Oxygen

A colorless and odorless reactive gas that constitutes approximately twenty-one percent of the volume of the Earth’s atmosphere

Oxygen Toxicity

Medical condition that results from breathing high partial pressures of oxygen; symptoms include visual and hearing abnormalities, fatigue, anxiety, confusion, lack of coordination, convulsions and more

P

Pacemaker

A surgically implanted electronic device that stimulates the heart muscle and regulates its contractions 

PADI

Professional Association of Diving Instructors

Parasite

Any organism that lives within or upon another organism, (its host), and derives nutrients at the expense of the host 

Paresthesia

An abnormal sensation on the skin, specifically prickling, tingling, burning, and/or itching that occurs primarily when there is pressure or damage to the peripheral nerves 

Pectoral Fins

The pair of fins located behind the head of a fish which help control its direction of movement

Pelagic Zone

The body of water in the open sea or ocean that is not in close proximity to the shore or sea floor

Pelican Hook

A quick-release hinged hook held closed by a ring that is used when speed is required to disconnect an object it holds

Penetration

The action or process of piercing or making a path through or into something; a diver penetrates a underwater wreck

Pericardium

A membranous sac filled with serous fluid that surrounds the heart and major blood vessels connected to it 

Pharyngeal

Of or specific to the pharynx 

Pharynx

The section of the alimentary canal that extends from the back of the throat, connecting mouth, nasal cavity and larynx with the esophagus

Photic Zone

Also known as an euphotic zone, the depth of a body of water that is exposed enough so that sunlight can penetrate to permit photosynthesis 

Photosensitive

Sensitive or responsive to light from a chemical, electrical, or other radiant energy

Physiology

The biological study of the normal functions of living organisms and their parts

Pilot

An individual that conducts a ship out of or into a harbor 

Pilot Bit

A small bit used for starting a directional hole which is later followed by a larger drill

Professional Diving

Diving in which individuals are compensated with pay

Proton

The positively charged particle of an atom

Protoplasm

The translucent substance that makes up the living part of a cell including the nucleus, cytoplasm, plastids, and mitochondria

PSI

Abbreviation for pounds per square inch; a common measurement of air pressure

Psychomotor Tests

Tests used to measure an individual’s cognitive and motor skills 

Pulmonary

Also known as pulmonic; relating to the lungs or pulmonary blood flow

Pulmonary Function

Measurements that are taken to determine lung volumes and capacities which help gauge the health of the lungs

Pulmonic

Referring to or affecting the lungs

Purge Valve

Allows the clearing of a mask without having to remove it

PVHO

Abbreviation for pressure vessel for human occupancy

Q

Quarter Deck

A section of the vessel’s upper deck, near the stern 

Quicksand

Soft, loose wet sand, varying in depth, that easily yields to pressure and tends to engulf any object lying on its surface

R

Rapid Ascent

Occurs when a diver ascends faster than the recommended rate of 30ft/9m per minute 

Ream

To enlarge a hole with a special tool

Pages

Subscribe to Just Gotta Dive (JGD) - Scuba Diving Dictionary