Hookah diving is an underwater diving activity done using a \u201chookah\u201d system (consisting of a surface-level compressor, hose, and accessories) to supply the diver with air. Unlike scuba equipment that is worn by the diver on their back; a hookah supplies air from the surface of the water through a floating air hose. This design makes a hookah system very suitable for diving within a limited area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hookah diving is done for recreational purposes, to conduct underwater research, clear prop lines or inspect boat hulls. Some hookah diving enthusiasts manage submersion to depths beyond 70 feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A hookah uses a small air compressor located above the water to transmit air to the diver through the floating air hose. It is most commonly powered by a small electric motor or a portable gasoline engine. A hookah offers an air supply limited only by available fuel or charge for the compressor, so this enables the diver to stay submerged for as long as they wish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is a great advantage over scuba equipment that requires divers to resurface every hour or so to refill their tanks. However, it is recommended that hookah divers always have a partner working on the water surface as a safety backup. If your engine\u2019s gas is running low, your partner can refill it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A hookah system can be either floating or fixed. A floating system, mounted on a buoy or raft, may have a floating air reserve tank that divers pull with them. A fixed system may be mounted on a boat or tethered to a dock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Different equipment providers offer various tools and accessories on their hookah systems to keep their brands unique. It is essential to know how your hookah diving equipment works. Below is a breakdown of the major parts of a hookah system:<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n [amazon fields=”B0763LSJ8Q” value=”thumb” image_size=”large”]<\/span> Often, hookah compressors are constructed from an alloy of aluminum. This makes them lightweight, and it safeguards them from rust. They are usually small in size and simple in their design. This is a crucial part of the hookah air system because it provides your supply. The compressor displaces air using a rubber diaphragm or a set of pistons. An air compressor that uses pistons can deliver more air than one using a diaphragm design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moving parts inside a hookah compressor are lubricated with Teflon. This lubrication is designed to last for the entire lifespan of the unit, and it is important to know that any additional lubrication is more likely to cause damage rather than improving performance or durability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hookah compressors last longer if run primarily at low pressures. In addition to shortening the life of the compressor, higher operating pressures lower the air output. Higher-capacity models give a maximum pressure of about 125 pounds\/square inch (125 psi). Such high pressure is only required when the system is being shared by many divers or if the diver wants to be submerged to a great depth. At a depth lower than 33 feet, the diver will not need more than 40 pounds\/square inch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hookah compressors come with a factory-preset pressure relief valve. This valve prevents excessive pressure buildup in the compressor head and is set to \u201cpop off\u201d the excess pressure, depending on the diver\u2019s breathing rate and the extent of underwater physical exertion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The air hose used in a hookah system is made from special vinyl plastic. This material is resistant to sunlight, heat, kinking, and acute folding that could shut off your airflow. It also doesn\u2019t \u201cflavor\u201d the air as it passes through. Often, it is brightly colored to enhance its visibility, an especially useful feature when diving in darker areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This third part of the hookah air system is connected to the compressor by the air hose. This piece of equipment has four important functions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Obviously, this last function is quite important. The air reserve usually lasts only a few minutes, but that is often enough time for the diver to wrap up activity and resurface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [amazon box=”B01AL6UN22,B0758PKPDW,B01M32Z60E” grid=”3″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is an oral respiration device worn over the diver\u2019s mouth. It regulates the amount of air received by the diver with each inhalation. In hookah diving, the diver\u2019s nose is always covered by the face mask, so all breathing occurs through the mouth. If you own a Scuba regulator<\/a>, you can take it to a dive shop or repair station to be modified for use with a hookah. This is because a hookah regulator is entirely different in functionality, even though its exterior design may be very similar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In all hookah diving, the regulator must be used in conjunction with a chest harness. The harness has three crucial functions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n With its check valve and other design features, your harness prevents a vacuum from forming if the air hose bursts, is severed somehow, or leaks. It will also protect the diver from breathing in a large amount of water that could endanger his or her life.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Air Compressor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>[amazon fields=”B0763LSJ8Q” value=”button”]<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Air Hose<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Air Reserve Tank<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Regulator<\/h3>\n\n\n
The Harness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is Hookah Diving Safe?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n