Glossary of SCUBA Diving - W

W

wall diving

Diving along the face of a near vertical cliff wall, particularly if the bottom is below the range of the diver's equipment and certification. This requires good buoyancy control.

water capacity

Of a cylinder: The internal volume. The amount of water it would hold at ambient pressure at 20 °C (68 °F)

water trap

Mechanism to trap liquid water carried by the compressed gas

weighting system

Weights, generally made of lead, to counteract the buoyancy of other diving equipment, and the belts, pockets or harnesses used to support them.

welding shield

Cover for the viewport area of a helmet or mask to filter excessive light and UV when welding or oxy-arc cutting.

wellhead

The component at the surface of an oil or gas well that provides the structural and pressure-containing interface for the drilling and production equipment.

wet bell

Further information: Diving bell#Structure of a typical wet bell

A cable-suspended chamber, open at the bottom, that is lowered underwater to operate as a base or a means of transport for a small number of divers.

wet pot

Water filled hyperbaric chamber.

wet notes

A small notebook of waterproof paper carried by some divers

wet suit

A close fitting, thermally-insulating, foam neoprene diving suit that allows a limited volume and movement of water inside the suit.

whip

Flexible high pressure gas hose with connector at the free end, used for temporary connections. e.g. Filling whip, for filling cylinders, Oxygen whip for oxygen transfer, Blending whip, for decanting gases when blending gas, etc.

WKPP

Woodville Karst Plain Project

working pressure

Maximum filling pressure rating for the cylinder at standard temperature. (also Charging pressure)

work of breathing

also WOB

The effort expended in inhaling and exhaling the breathing gas.

wreck diving

Recreational or technical diving on and inside of shipwrecks.

wrist slate

A small plastic writing surface attached to the diver's wrist