SCUBA LINGO

🧾 Acronym Glossary

  • AAS - Alternate Air Source (octopus)

  • ABCDE - Air, BCD, Computer, Dive Equipment, Enter water (buddy check)

  • ABT - Absolute Bottom Time

  • AED – Automated External Defibrillator (important for dive sites)

  • AGE - Arterial Gas Embolism

  • AI - Air Integration (wireless tank pressure monitoring)

  • AOW - Advanced Open Water

  • BCD - Buoyancy Control Device

  • BOV - Bail‑Out Valve (used in rebreathers)

  • BWRAF - BCD, Weights, Releases, Air, Final OK (buddy check)

  • CCR - Closed Circuit Rebreather

  • CD - Course Director

  • CESA - Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent

  • CPR - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

  • DCI - Decompression Illness

  • DCS - Decompression Sickness (“the bends”)

  • DIN - DIN Valve Fitting (Deutsches Institut für Normung)

  • DIR - Doing It Right (standardized dive philosophy)

  • DM - Divemaster

  • DPV - Diver Propulsion Vehicle (scooter)

  • DSMB - Delayed Surface Marker Buoy

  • DV - Demand Valve (regulator)

  • EANx - Enriched Air Nitrox

  • FFA - Free Flowing Air (regulator malfunction)

  • FFM - Full Face Mask

  • FSW - Feet of Sea Water

  • GF - Gradient Factors (decompression algorithm tuning)

  • HP + IP - High Pressure & Intermediate Pressure (regulator checks)

  • IDC - Instructor Development Course

  • IE - Instructor Exam

  • LDS - Local Dive Shop

  • LPI - Low Pressure Inflator

  • MOD - Maximum Operating Depth (for gas mix)

  • MSW - Meters of Sea Water

  • N₂ Nitrogen (referenced in dive tables and decompression theory)

  • NAUI - National Association of Underwater Instructors

  • NDL - No‑Decompression Limit

  • O2 - Oxygen

  • OOA - Out Of Air

  • OPV - Over‑Pressure Valve

  • OWSI - Open Water Scuba Instructor

  • PADI - Professional Association of Diving Instructors

  • PDC - Personal Dive Computer

  • PP - Partial Pressure (of gases)

  • RDP - Recreational Dive Planner

  • RGBM - Reduced Gradient Bubble Model (decompression algorithm)

  • RIB - Rigid Inflatable Boat

  • RIN - Retesters Identification Number (hydro tester mark)

  • RMV - Respiratory Minute Volume

  • RNT - Residual Nitrogen Time

  • ROYGBIV - Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet (order of colors)

  • SAC - Surface Air Consumption rate

  • SCUBA - Self‑Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus

  • SDI - Scuba Diving International

  • SI - Surface Interval (time out of the water)

  • SMB - Surface Marker Buoy

  • SPG - Submersible Pressure Gauge

  • SSI - Scuba Schools International

  • STA - Single Tank Adapter

  • WOB - Work of Breathing (regulator performance measure)

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