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Snuba is a form of surface-supplied diving in which an underwater breathing system developed by Snuba International is used. The word Snuba is a portmanteau of "snorkel" and "scuba". The swimmer uses swimfins, a diving mask, weights, and diving regulator as in scuba diving. The air, however, instead of coming from tanks strapped to the diver's back, comes through a long hose from tanks on pontoon rafts on the surface (which is different from Hookah diving, where air is generally supplied with a gas-powered air compressor). Snuba often serves as a form of introductory diving, in the presence of a professional, insured guide, and following a half-hour lesson (but not requiring scuba certification). ==Popularity== The Snuba system was devised in 1989 by California diver Michael Stafford. It was then developed and patented in 1990 by Snuba International, based in Diamond Springs, California, who own the trademark and license it as a touring program. Snuba diving is a popular guided touring activity in tropical tourist locations such as Hawaii, Thailand, the Caribbean and México.〔 Snuba is also popular because no prior dive experience is necessary. Participants need only to be at least eight years of age, have a basic swimming ability, and be comfortable in the water. Its popularity as a first timer's experience can be attributed to several factors. *The participant tows the raft on the surface via a lightweight harness connected to the air line. This gives the customer the secure knowledge that he/she cannot descend too deep and allows them to choose the depth that they feel most comfortable with while being able to control their depth, descent and ascent rates. By utilizing the hose as a guide, combined with wearing soft weights to achieve neutral buoyancy, participants are able to descend anywhere from just under the surface to deep.〔 *Participants are able to hold on to the raft at the surface using a lanyard that runs the length of the raft on both sides. This also allows the user to hold on to the raft while becoming comfortable breathing before beginning to descend. Being connected to the raft also provides users with a feeling of safety, comfort, and the option to hold on to the raft should they want to return to the surface.〔 *Compared to scuba, Snuba divers wear minimal gear. Each diver is equipped with a mask, fins, weight belt, harness and regulator. The harness holds the regulator and air line in place, allowing the diver to swim unencumbered beneath the surface.〔 This may be compared to full scuba gear, which includes a buoyancy compensator, weights, cylinder and often more, and can weigh in excess of . Although scuba equipment is nearly weightless underwater, out of the water the weight becomes a significant factor for weaker individuals. Unfortunately for Snuba divers, in case of emergency, the Snuba diver is not provided with any emergency buoyancy system unlike a Scuba diver who has a buoyancy compensator, meaning that the Snuba diver must swim to the surface or tread water until help arrives, which could prove fatal. On the other hand, a correctly weighted snuba diver will be neutrally buoyant at all depths (no compressable dive suit), has a hose and harness to prevent sinking, can pull on the hose to surface, which is less effort than swimming, and has a raft with a grab-rope to hold on to at the surface. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「snuba」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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