Treasures of the Maltese waters. Part one, Shore dives

Abstract

Diving, according to the encyclopedia, is the act of plunging into water as practised by the swimmer. Human beings have been diving since primitive men were forced to get some of their food from the sea. The beginning of scuba diving dates back to the first time, when divers used an aqualung which was not connected with lines and air hoses to the surface. In 1942, the French Navy Officer Cousteau, combined with engineer Gagnan, produced a fully automatic regulator with an inlet and exhaust tube, which was the first modern aqualung. The word scuba is an abbreviation of Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. There are various reasons why people like diving; for fun, for work, to find old remains, to relax, to make photos, etc. [excerpt]