What is the story of the aqua lung?
The story of the Aqua-Lung began during World War II on the shores of the French Riviera. As fuel shortages swept across Europe, engineer Émile Gagnan developed a demand regulator for cooking gas. Jacques Cousteau, envisioning a new era of human exploration beneath the waves, adapted the regulator for underwater use. The Aqua-Lung didn’t just change how we dive, it opened the ocean to the world. Co-invented in 1943 by legendary ocean explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau and engineer Émile Gagnan, this groundbreaking device was the first truly self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.In 1942, during the German occupation of France, Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Émile Gagnan designed the first reliable and commercially successful open-circuit scuba, known as the Aqua-Lung. Their system combined an improved demand regulator with high-pressure air tanks.The Aqua-Lung was invented in France during the winter of 1942–1943 by two Frenchmen: engineer Émile Gagnan and Jacques Cousteau, who was a Naval Lieutenant (French: lieutenant de vaisseau). It allowed Cousteau and Gagnan to film and explore underwater more easily.The Aqua-Lung was invented in France during the winter of 1942–1943 by two Frenchmen: engineer Émile Gagnan and Jacques Cousteau, who was a Naval Lieutenant (French: lieutenant de vaisseau). It allowed Cousteau and Gagnan to film and explore underwater more easily.
What is an aqua lung?
However, with the proper equipment and practice, divers can descend to 1000 feet and explore for several hours. But their ascent will be extremely slow since they must make decompression pauses.The Rules of Scuba Diving: Never Hold Your Breath. Plan Your Dive. Dive Within Your Limits. Ascend Slowly (and Don’t Forget Your Safety Stop) Check Your Gear.The preferred diving apparatus for special diving units is the Dräger closed-circuit oxygen rebreather. Dräger LAR V underwater breathing apparatus enables special forces teams to complete their assignments in even the most hostile of underwater conditions.The Aqualung introduced a regulator system that allowed divers to inhale and exhale through the same mouthpiece, significantly improving oxygen efficiency and mobility. Cousteau and Gagnan’s design utilized high-pressure metal tanks filled with compressed air, enabling divers to reach depths of up to 68.The only thing for certain is that the optimum breathing strategy when scuba diving is deep slow breathing. You need to inhale slowly and then also exhale slowly without holding your breath.
What’s going on with Aqualung?
After months of talks and rumors, it was publicly confirmed on the 26th of June that HEAD group would acquire the Aqualung group. The decision was announced by the Commercial Court of Nice, following a bid for the company, which was placed under insolvency administration since May 16, 2025. The company was sold to Montagu Private Equity in 2016, and subsequently acquired by Barings LLC in 2023. In June 2025, Aqualung Group was acquired by Head Group.
Who is the new owner of Aqua-Lung?
HEAD Group, a leading global sports equipment company, takes over the AQUALUNG … The Aqualung Group – owner of Aqualung, Apeks and Aquasphere – has announced it is in takeover talks with HEAD Group – the owner of Mares – just over a year after the company was acquired by Barings.
Who is buying Aqualung?
HEAD Acquires Aqualung: Big Changes in the Dive Industry. In 2024, the U. S. Divers brand was sold to a California-based company called Aqua Master Sporting Technology.
What does “aqualung” actually mean?
An aqualung is a kind of diving equipment that lets you breathe under water. It’s an air tank strapped to your back plus a mouthpiece that lets you breathe in that air. Its name was the brand name of the first ever underwater breathing apparatus, what we now call scuba equipment. Aqua-lung Synonyms self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.