Recreational diving is fast becoming a major marine activity. Approximately 2 million 

 scuba divers are active, with between 50,000 and 100,000 new divers beginning each 

 year; efforts to provide adequate diver safety standards are increasingly important. 



Scripps Institution of Oceanography alone, there are more than 100 

 qualified divers carrying out 4,000 to 5,000 dives each year. 



Recreational diving is increasing rapidly. About 2 million active scuba 

 divers in the United States invest $40 to $50 million annually in equipment 

 and considerably more in the sport itself. Each year between 50,000 and 

 100,000 people begin scuba diving. There are 1,800 diving clubs and national 

 societies in the Nation with an average of 20 active members per club. The 

 great majority of recreational scuba divers are not affiliated with clubs. 



Growing interest and activity in the private sector of the United States has 

 been reflected in programs of Federal agencies. The Department of the 

 Interior has a growing need for man-in-the-sea capabilities for fisheries 

 research, marine geology studies, environmental quality and pollution 

 control investigations and recreation. The Coast Guard has an increas- 

 ingly important role to play in its marine safety program and search and 

 rescue activities. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is 

 interested in learning about group behavior and effectiveness in small habi- 

 tats and hostile environments. The Department of Health, Education, and 

 Welfare has interest in the biomedical aspects of underseas activities from 

 both research and clinical viewpoints. 



Defense requirements for diving systems capability have increased. They 

 involve submarine rescue, salvage and object recovery. Continental Shelf 

 construction programs, amphibious and mine warfare and harbor defense. 

 The total number of trained divers in the Navy is about 3,000; more are 

 needed. Navy programs related to man-in-the-sea activities are discussed 

 additionally in chapter XII. 



Increased diving activity and interest has not been confined to the United 

 States. One of the most active and advanced programs is that of France. 

 Nov,' incorporated into the operations of France's National Center for the 

 Exploitation of the Oceans (CNEXO), the French program calls for con- 



107 



