Hookah Diving System

Hookah diving, also known as snuba diving, is ideal for someone who wants to explore underwater without the cumbersome gear of traditional scuba diving. With a hookah diving system, you get to explore with minimal interference in your range of motion.

A hookah diving system, also known as surfaced supplied air, is a great way to move up to traditional scuba diving after you've mastered snorkeling. It mixes the ease and freedom of snorkeling with the underwater breathing capabilities of scuba. Note that when purchasing a hookah diving system, you must present proof of your scuba certification.

What is Hookah Diving?

Hookah diving, or "snuba diving" consists of a battery or gas-powered air compressor that delivers air, through a long hose called a down-line, to the diver under the water. It can run for 3 to 3.5 hours on a tank and supply air to more than one diver at a time (depending upon the size). Hookah diving is usually done in less than 40 feet of water. For many, the name "hookah" conjures a tall, multi-hosed tobacco pipe out of the Arabian Nights. That's probably the reason people are now referring to surface supplied air diving as snuba or snuba diving.

Hookah diving does not require the use of a BCD or a first stage regulator. Divers wear a harness, which is the attachment point for the down-line and optional weight belts. Divers use a second stage regulator that's specifically designed for use with a hookah system. A traditional scuba regulator will not work.

Though the personal gear requirements of hookah diving are minimal, when you purchase a hookah system, you are required to have a scuba certification. The reason is simple: all the safety precautions that apply to scuba diving also apply to hookah diving. You need to learn and understand things like decompression stops, how to use compressed air and dive computers, and other safety factors. Decompression sickness (DCS), commonly called "the bends," happens when a diver comes to the surface too quickly. It's a serious health and safety issue and can happen with hookah diving.

Benefits of Hookah Dive Systems

• No heavy tanks to carry
• No straying away since you're tethered to the hookah system
• Multiple divers can use one hookah system
• Stay underwater longer and dive deeper than snorkeling
• Less expensive than traditional scuba
• Floating platform on the surface alerts other boaters to your whereabouts underwater

Types of Hookah Dive Systems

There are two types of hookah dive systems: dynamic and static. A dynamic system uses an air compressor to deliver air at the correct pressure. It has a holding tank that provides constant pressure. As air leaves the tank, more air is added to maintain the pressure. The compressor can be floating or fixed and gas or electric. A static system uses a cylinder of compressed gas (often a scuba tank) as the air source.

A fixed compressor is placed on a dock or on a boat while in use. Some boats have outlets for hookah down lines. Floating means that the air source is on a floating platform that the diver pulls along with them. This is the most common type. Brownie's Third Lung is a popular brand and is the one most often seen in use.

Gas VS Electric Hookah Dive Systems

Hookah systems are available in both gas and electric versions. You can get about three hours of dive time on 2.5 quarts of gas, which is less expensive than filling a scuba tank. Gas systems do require more maintenance than electric versions. They're also a bit louder.

The more "green" electric systems require less maintenance than gas systems. They can be recharged on the boat, are quiet, easy to start and less prone to corrosion. Electric hookah rigs are very popular among eco-tourists in the Caribbean and the South Pacific islands.

Uses for a Hookah Dive System

• Enjoy deeper dives without the cumbersome scuba gear
• Get up close to sea life and coral formations for underwater photography and videography
• Stay underwater till you catch your lobster bag limit
• Provide inspection and maintenance on boats and docks

Components of a Hookah Diving System

Hookah diving doesn't require quite as much equipment as traditional scuba diving. There are five main pieces of gear included in our hookah diving systems. Basically, all you need to add is a mask and fins - the hookah dive kit takes care of the rest.

Air Compressor – Hookah divers don't use air tanks on their backs like scuba divers. Air is delivered to them by an air compressor that's located on the boat or floating platform. It has a rubber diaphragm or a piston and operates at low pressure ("low pressure" compared to the 3000+ psi of a scuba diving cylinder). A pressure-relief valve provides safety measures to prevent pressure buildup. More air volume is provided when there are multiple divers.

Air Reserve Tank – The air reserve tank is a "reservoir" of sorts. It provides a constant volume of air at all times, as well as cooling and condensation. The air reserve tank cools hot air as it enters the tank. Condensation then occurs so that the diver doesn't breathe as much moisture. The air reserve tank also stops surges coming from the compressor. This gives an even flow of air. As an added safety feature, it contains enough pressurized air to give the diver a couple of minutes of air if the compressor runs out of air or there's engine failure.

Air Hose – The air hose, attached to the air compressor, is made out of food-grade vinyl, nylon webbing and PVC that's oil, gas and UV-resistant. It's usually in a bright color like yellow or orange so that it's visible above and below the surface. Kink, collapse and abrasion-resistant, the air hose floats so that it doesn't entangle divers or underwater obstacles. As you might expect, one air hose supports one diver.

Regulator – The hookah regulator is how the diver gets air. It fits in the diver's mouth and regulates the amount of air received when he/she inhales. Hookah diving only uses a hookah-specific second stage regulator. You can't just plug your favorite scuba regulator into a hookah air line.

Harness – The harness is worn on the diver's back and keeps the air hose out of your way. Also prevents the regulator from being pulled out of the diver's mouth (since the regulator hose attaches to the harness). Harnesses often are integrated with a weight belt, to counteract your body's natural buoyancy and make depth control easier.

Additional Hookah Diving Equipment You'll Need or Want

• Dive mask
• Fins
• Weight belt and weights (included with most hookah diving kits)
• Dive light for lighting up crevices in daytime, or for night dives
• Dive knife
• Spearfishing? You'll need a pole spear or speargun
• Lobstering? You'll need some specialty lobstering gear

Whether you're searching for sea life, watching for wrecks or photographing coral formations, hookah diving offers freedom and ease into the underwater world.