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Modern-Day Scuba
Home » Scuba » History of Scuba Diving » Modern-Day ScubaJacques Cousteau and Emile Gagnan designed and tested the first device that delivered compressed air to the diver on demand in 1943. Deemed the “aqualung,” the effective device became readily available in 1949 for recreational divers in dive shops all over the world.
Television shows devoted to Scuba diving became popular starting in the 1950s and brought a lot of publicity to the sport. “Kingdom of the Sea” premiered in 1954 and quickly elevated female diver Zale Parry to celebrity status. Parry starred in the show and broke the deep-diving record by diving 209 feet. She eventually became one of the first Scuba Diving instructors in the United States. Similar shows, like “Sea Hunt,” popped onto the scene that furthered the public’s intrigue of diving.
It became apparent in 1960 that a diver certification program was needed to educate recreational divers through a standardized training program after the death of Connie Limbaugh. Limbaugh was a diving pioneer that drowned while cave-diving, and it was noticed that the Scuba accident rates were skyrocketing due to the lack of training. The National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) was formed that year and held its first instructor certification course in 1960. In 1966 the Professional Association of Diving Instructors was formed and trained 3226 divers in their first year of operation. This is still the world’s most famous diving organization.
Yet another television show entered the market in 1966. Jacques Cousteau’s “The Undersea World with Jacques Cousteau” ran until 1976 and was seen in over 100 countries. The fascinating world under the sea was broadcasted to millions of viewers who couldn’t get enough of the mysterious world down below.
Through the series of small innovations, the world of Scuba has evolved into recreational sport enjoyed by many. It is estimated that a half-million divers are certified each year. Although it took several years and several failures to get the art of Scuba diving correct, the end result has brought fulfillment and enjoyment to many, many divers all over the world.
Sources:
1. “The History of Scuba”: www.iit.edu/-elkimar/design/history/index.html
2. “Underwater Exploring”: www.scuba-vallarta.com/scuba-information/diving-history.htm
3. “History of SCUBA Diving”: www.scubadiving.co.uk/history-of-scuba-diving.asp
4. “Scuba Diving History”: www.prxtreme.com/scuba_diving_history.htm
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