We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Sports

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is an Aqua Lung?

Jessica Ellis
By
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 12,603
Share

An Aqua Lung® is a trademarked device to allow breathing under water. Originally invented by a pair of undersea explorers in the 1930s, the Aqua Lung® uses open-circuit technology to give the user fresh air and expel used air. Aqua Lungs® are considered outdated technology by some critics, but remain a staple product in the military as well as the general scuba community.

Jacques-Yves Cousteau and his partner Emile Gagnan are often credited with inventing the device that would become known as an Aqua Lung®. Cousteau, a famous underwater researcher, took inspiration from the 19th century inventors of the diving helmet to create his underwater breathing apparatus. Gagnan, far less famous, nonetheless developed the regulating mechanism that controlled air supply from the pressurized tanks. Cousteau used their combined invention to film long sequences in deep water, something that had not been possible using only snorkeling technology. The success of Cousteau's films, including Palm d'Or winning documentary The Silent World, greatly helped popularize marine biology and are considered major contributing factors in the rise of marine conservation efforts.

After the patent for the original invention expired in the 1960s, Cousteau's device was purchased and trademarked by a diving-supply company then called U.S. Divers. Although the term was in use as a generic word for scuba equipment, the new trademark laws quickly ensured that any casual use was to be discouraged. U.S. Divers changed its name to Aqua Lung America after its most famous product, and continues to be a major supplier of dive equipment.

The United States military has been availing itself of Aqua Lung® technology for nearly 50 years for underwater training and missions. Research and development of scuba products for military use has been a primary focus of the Aqua Lung America company. In addition to life-support materials, the company provides specialized equipment for Navy and special force units, including scuba products for dangerous missions such as Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD.)

Aqua Lungs® use a type of technology called open-circuit in order to help divers receive clean air and expel used air. According to critics, this type of scuba equipment can be troublesome, as it leaves behind a distinct trail of bubbles as air is exhaled which may frighten or anger nearby animals. Closed-circuit equipment recycles air by passing exhaled air through a chamber that removes carbon dioxide and returns it to breathable oxygen. Not only do closed-circuit diving tanks reduce the bubble trail, they also give the diver more time underwater by use of the recycling process.

Share
Sports n' Hobbies is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Jessica Ellis
By Jessica Ellis
With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica Ellis brings a unique perspective to her work as a writer for Sports n' Hobbies. While passionate about drama and film, Jessica enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics, creating content that is both informative and engaging for readers.
Discussion Comments
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica Ellis...
Learn more
Share
https://www.sportsnhobbies.org/what-is-an-aqua-lung.htm
Copy this link
Sports n' Hobbies, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

Sports n' Hobbies, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.