Glossary of Scuba Diving Terms (R)

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 scuba glossary 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 glossary of scuba diving terms. 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 scuba glossary.

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R

A closed-circuit system that recycles exhaled gas by filtering out carbon dioxide and replacing any oxygen metabolized by the diver. Special training and certification is required to safely use a Rebreather.

A pressure chamber used to treat divers suffering from decompression sickness.

No Decompression Diving that takes place within certain depth (maximum recreational limit is 130 feet) and environmental limitations, as outlined by the various training agencies.

In scuba, the mechanism that supplies breathing gas from the tank to the diver. This is done by a process of pressure reduction. A regulator is made up of two parts: the first stage and the second stage.

Any dive that takes place within a certain time frame after a previous dive. The time frame can vary depending on which dive tables are being used for dive planning. Any dive whose profile is affected by a previous dive is considered repetitive.

Nitrogen that remains dissolved in a diver's tissues after surfacing from a dive.

The time it would take to off-gas any extra (residual) nitrogen remaining after a dive. Residual Nitrogen Time is always taken into consideration when determining the safe duration for any repetitive dive.

Pain and discomfort that occurs when the middle ear or sinuses equalize on descent, but fails to release through the Eustachian tube on ascent.

A fast moving current running perpendicular to shore. A rip current is caused by the action of incoming waves.

A rule of thumb used when calculating air requirements for a dive, especially for one requiring a conservative approach, such as cave diving. Use a third of the tank to get to your destination, a third to get back, and the last third belongs to your buddy in case of an emergency.