Air and a Spare

No matter which alternate air source you choose, learn to calculate your air consumption and regularly practice emergency procedures. There are many ways to configure each type of redundant breathing-gas supply, but make sure your setup matches your training, gear arrangement and dive objectives. If a naysayer thinks your equipment choice is unnecessary, let them know that the difference between a fatal accident and an embarrassing incident could come down to a breath or two. Any redundancy is better than none.

Composite Scuba Cylinders

Composite, fiber-wound cylinders are making their way back into diving in rebreathers and other advanced scuba gear. The weight and lifespan benefits of these cylinders are attempting to challenge their previous cost barrier.

composite cylinder

Are 6351-T6 Alloy Scuba Cylinders Safe to Use?

After the rupturing of two alloy scuba cylinders, many wonder if they are safe to use? While cracking was documented in these cylinders, a major issue with their use is lack of consistent training and regulation in the testers, inspectors and fill-station operators.

A Black man inspects a cylinder with a tiny rope light

Maintain Your Gear

Proper gear maintenance is key to any enjoyable scuba trip. Learn mask-to-fin gear maintenance procedures and more.

Person washes regulator in water basin

Scuba Cylinder Rundown

The 11-liter aluminum 80, aptly named for its 11-liter internal volume and 80-cubic-foot (2.3 cubic meter) capacity when filled to its 200 bar/3,000 PSI rated pressure, is by far the […]

Exploring the Avelo System

As the field of recreational diving continues to evolve, DAN remains committed to being at the forefront of safety and scientific advancement. The purpose of this article is to educate about a new product gaining popularity on the market. Our goal is to further dive safety while fostering informed discussion and deeper understanding.

The Avelo System is a reimagining of buoyancy in scuba diving.

Cylinder Safety

Users must operate cylinders within design parameters, such as filling only to the rated service pressure and having cylinders inspected by formally trained and qualified technicians and requalified by a reputable, recognized test facility. More than 90 percent of ruptures occur during filling, so diligent inspection during this process is critical. Cylinders should operate safely throughout their entire service lives if users adhere to design and operating conditions.

Young man in blue shirt fills scuba cylinders.

Get Wet, Dive Dry

Drysuits enable divers to dive longer and test their own abilities. Do you know drysuit basics? Cultivate a better understanding of drysuits and how to find the right one.

Happy male diver helps a female diver into her wetsuit by the trunk of a car

Heated Garments

GETTING COLD ON A DIVE IS UNPLEASANT, but if it progresses to hypothermia, it becomes potentially fatal. Even more than discomfort, considering the physiological and psychological stress it can cause, being cold is potentially risky.

Do You Know What You’re Breathing

A rebreather diver respires an artificial atmosphere that changes dynamically with depth over the course of a dive.

A rebreather diver poses in a cave and wears a blue and black wetsuit