As we get nearer fabulous snorkeling grounds interest in scuba or breathing air compressors grows. I am PADI Open Water certified. Debbie is not. The bulk of scuba gear including four tanks makes scuba undesirable. Being tethered makes a compressor undesirable.
Last week I had the opportunity to again closely inspect breathing air compressors being used on the docks. Surprisingly I have been able to look at about five over the last month. Also surprisingly, only one was commercially supplied for underwater breathing. The balance were a mixture of right-from-Home-Depot air compressors to user-built-probably-plagiarized designs. All were simple and included similar oilless connecting rod or rocking piston compressors, although system manufacturers describe using diaphragm compressors, too. All including the one commercially supplied included only commercial or industrial intake air filters. Nothing special at all. What you would buy from the compressor manufacturer as an accessory.
The location of the air intake on electric compressors was not special. It was at the head of the compressor. The air intake on the gasoline powered compressors was routed up a short maybe eighteen inch mast oriented higher than engine exhaust.
Two manufacturers of bare compressors: http://www.gastmfg.com, http://www.thomaspumps.com. On their website Gast describes using their compressor in shallow water breathing applications.
Several manufacturers of breathing air systems: http://www.supersnorkel.com, http://www.hookahdivegear.com, http://www.browniedive.com, http://www.seabreathe.com.
It seems if you are a do-it-yourselfer, you could easily, inexpensively, and safely build your own compressor system.
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