Nuvair now sells hookah systems! Much of the diving industry refers to hookah systems as “surface supply diving systems,” which they technically are, but we like to draw a hard line between “hookah systems” and “surface supply systems.”
HOOKAH SYSTEM
Here at Nuvair, a "hookah" is an affordable, lightweight, and portable device powered by a gas engine or electric motor that is used to supply air to divers for recreational or limited commercial purposes.
Divers Alert Network (DAN) has a great piece on what hookahs are all about. Read the article “Hooked on Hookah Diving” by George Anderson at https://dan.org/alert-diver/article/hooked-on-hookah-diving/.
SURFACE SUPPLY SYSTEM
Since we design, fabricate, and sell professional-grade surface supply systems for use worldwide, we define a “surface supply system” as any system that is not a hookah system. While surface supply systems can be used by recreational divers, they are generally used for commercial purposes (including offshore operations), can support multiple divers, can generate enriched air nitrox, are heavy (some weigh over a ton!), and are expensive.
Nuvair manufactures a wide range of surface supply systems including the pictured Nuvair EK76-Q325D Kubota Diesel Low-Pressure Nitrox Surface Supply System (SKU 7069DKU-EK76-325). Our smaller surface supply systems include the Bamax Twin Tank Industrial Compressor Series (SKU BAMAX-TWINS). Click here to view the entire line of Nuvair Surface Supply compressors.
BREATHING GAS NEEDS: HOW MUCH AIR IS REQUIRED TO VENTILATE LUNGS?
When shopping for a recreational hookah, it is important to understand what the air demand on the hookah will be. Can a hookah reliably support one diver at depth, or can two divers be supported simultaneously at the hookah's recommended Maximum Operating Depth? Based upon data provided by Divers Alert Network (DAN), the below chart provides average air requirements for one (1) diver under differing workloads and at various seawater depths.
DEPTH | AVERAGE BREATHING GAS NEEDS | ||
Sea Water | At Rest | Light to Moderate Activity | Vigorous Exercise |
0 feet (Surface) | 8 L/min (0.28 CFM) |
20 L/min (0.7 CFM) |
70 L/min (2.5 CFM) |
16 feet (5m) | 12 L/min (0.42 CFM) |
30 L/min (1.1 CFM) |
105 L/min (3.7 CFM |
33 feet (10m) | 16 L/min (0.56 CFM) |
40 L/min (1.4 CFM) |
140 L/min (4.9 CFM) |
49 feet (15m) | 20 L/min (0.7 CFM) |
50 L/min (1.8 CFM) |
175 L/min (6.2 CFM) |
66 feet (20m) | 24 L/min (0.85 CFM) |
60 L/min (2.1 CFM) |
210 L/min (7.4 CFM) |