Glossary of Scuba Diving Terms (M)

Understanding That Strange Scuba Language

Welcome to our glossary of scuba diving terms. Diving, like many sports, has its own language. Our scuba glossary is for anyone interested in understanding the scuba diving definitions, scuba diving terms or scuba slang found in this strange scuba communication that divers use.

Our scubaglossary is easy to use. Just click on the letter that corresponds to the first letter of the word that you are looking for. All the words that begin with that letter will be displayed.

We will be constantly adding new terms to our scuba glossary. If you think we have missed a term or you can not find the scuba diving information you are looking for, please let us know. We will add it and the best definition we can find to our glossary of scuba diving terms.

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M

Marco photography is used to get close-up pictures of a subject. This requires Marco accessories that are attached to the camera's lens.

A standard mask consists of a single or double (one for each eye) panel of tempered glass inside a plastic frame. The frame has a silicone skirt that forms an air tight seal against the face. A strap and buckles hold the mask in place.

Misting on the inside of a diver's mask. This is due to the accumulation of oils on the inside of the lens. These oils allow moisture to form much quicker.

A painful condition caused by increasing water pressure against the diver's mask, causing the mask to be pressed against the diver's face. This happens during a rapid descent when the diver does not equalize his/her mask. This condition can cause permanent eye damage if not equalized. To prevent this from happening, a diver should equalize every few feet (or meter) while descending slowly.

Air from an over expanding lung escapes into the center of the chest. This puts pressure on the heart and major blood vessels, interfering with circulation. Symptoms are shortness of breath and feeling faint.

An air space of the ear bordered on one side by the tympanic membrane (eardrum). This membrane is exposed to any change in ambient pressure. Air pressure in the middle ear space can only be equalized through the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the nose.

Damage done to the middle ear when a diver fails to equalize. The eardrum flexes inward, causing pain and discomfort. Blood and fluid from the surrounding tissue is forced by the water pressure into the unequalized middle ear.

A breathing gas that contains altered percentages of oxygen and nitrogen, and also helium. Mixed gases (Trimix's) are used for dives below 165 feet (50 meters).

Starting a dive at the deepest point, and then spending the remaining part of the dive at shallower depths. This will allow a diver to have a longer bottom time.