Introduction  

Diving into the history of hookah diving uncovers a fascinating journey of humankind’s desire to breathe and explore underwater. This evolution began in the 18-19th century with the invention of the first manual air pumps, heavy helmets, and primitive diving suits. By the 1960s, a pivotal shift occurred as commercial technology was miniaturized into the first recreational machines, opening the sport to the public. Today, the advent of high-capacity batteries has transformed these systems into portable, «grab-and-go» solutions for modern adventurers, such as AirBuddy. Looking ahead, the future of hookah diving holds vast potential for innovation, unconstrained by many of the physical limitations that stifle traditional SCUBA. This article examines the technical progression of hookah systems and how they continue to change our access to the underwater world.

History of Hookah Diving Gear

First Air pump

The history of hookah diving traces back to 1771, when British engineer John Smeaton revolutionized underwater exploration. While diving bells had already been in use for centuries, they were limited by a finite air supply trapped inside. Smeaton changed this by adapting an air pump to deliver a continuous stream of fresh air from the surface through a hose. This innovation transformed the diving bell from a temporary pocket of air into a functional underwater workstation, laying the foundational technology for modern surface-supplied diving.

First diving helmet

In 1823, John and Charles Deane originally patented a «smoke helmet» designed to help firefighters breathe in smoke-filled areas. Recognizing its potential for underwater work, they adapted the copper helmet by 1828, connecting it to a surface-level air pump via a flexible hose. This «open» diving system allowed air to escape from the bottom of the helmet, functioning like a portable diving bell and marking a revolutionary advancement in maritime salvage and exploration technology.

First diving suit

In 1860, the world’s oldest surviving diving suit the «Old Gentleman” was donated to the Raahe Museum in Finland, cementing its place as a cornerstone of maritime heritage. This extraordinary artifact is believed to date back to the early 18th century. Air was pumped to the diver with a piston pump or a bellows, and air was discharged from the suit through a short pipe on the backside. This diving suit, crafted from robust cowskin, served as a tool for inspecting ship hulls, eliminating the need for cumbersome dry docks. The crafted toes, mirroring traditional Finnish boots, and hands resembling forester’s mittens, point towards local Finnish craftsmanship, since its true origin remains unknown. Further evidence of Nordic origin was found in Swedish National Archives, where a 1727 sketch shows a similar suit, albeit made of metal, which could potentially be an ancestral relative of the «Old Gentleman,» separated by time and material. 

Modern History of Recreational Hookah Diving

Hookah diving first established its importance in the commercial sector and aquaculture, where surface-supplied air became vital for various tasks from shallow-water hull maintenance to the complex demands of deep-sea saturation diving. Building on this industrial foundation, the technology was adapted for leisure use in the mid-1960s, marking the true beginning of the modern recreational era. This transition transformed underwater exploration from a rugged technical pursuit into a family-friendly pastime, largely thanks to two iconic machines.

In 1965, the Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC) revolutionized the market by introducing the Evinrude Aquanaut and its twin, the Johnson Air-Buoy. These units featured a small internal combustion engine mounted atop a floating ring, pumping filtered air through hoses to one or two divers below.

However, these early gasoline-powered units were relatively bulky and presented significant operational challenges. Divers faced the constant risk of engine stalls caused by water-contaminated fuel, as well as the more serious danger of carbon monoxide poisoning if exhaust fumes were drawn into the air intake. The true mainstream adoption of hookah diving occurred only a few decades ago with the advent of smaller, highly portable, and significantly safer electric hookah systems, which simplified the diving experience for divers seeking an alternative to traditional SCUBA.

Hookah Diving Now

The transition from early gasoline-powered models to today’s cutting-edge systems has been driven by rapid advancements in high-density battery technology and efficient compressors. Modern units have significantly shed weight and bulk, offering a much higher performance-to-size ratio than older, clunkier models. AirBuddy has emerged as the clear leader in this industry, pioneering a lightweight compact design that prioritizes safety through features like an integrated emergency air reservoir and an underwater low-battery siren.

Today, thanks to its adaptability, hookah diving has transformed into a multifaceted activity. Used by recreational divers who enjoy the freedom and affordability it offers for exploring depths and reefs without the necessity of carrying bulky gear. But hookah diving’s reach extends beyond just leisure. Marine conservationists use hookah dive systems as a means to monitor underwater ecosystems, while lobster hunters rely on its flexibility and treasure hunters utilise it for locating and recovering lost items. Hookah diving systems are particularly popular with boat owners, as well, since the compact design of this “grab and go solution” allows for quick inspection and boat maintenance, prior to any further escalation being necessary.    

Future of Hookah Diving

Hookah diving is a major shift in underwater exploration, with the potential to evolve much faster than traditional SCUBA. While SCUBA has dominated for decades, it has hit a «technological ceiling» due to the physics of high-pressure air storage. Unless a new material is discovered that is both lighter and significantly stronger, SCUBA tanks are stuck at their current limits. Even though 300-bar tanks exist, they aren’t widely used because they cause heavy wear on compressors and increase the risk of tank failure. Without a radical leap in material science, the weight and air duration of SCUBA simply cannot improve much further.

In contrast, hookah diving is riding the wave of the EV-driven battery revolution. As battery chemistries like graphene, solid-state, and sodium-ion continue to mature, there is massive room for improvement in energy density and charging speeds. When you pair these advancements with modern compressors—which are becoming smaller, more efficient, and less power-hungry—you get a system that significantly extend both dive times and maximum depths while becoming even smaller and lighter.

This doesn’t mean SCUBA will disappear. It remains the essential tool for overhead environments, such as cave and wreck diving, where a surface tether is impractical or impossible. However, for the vast majority of common recreational diving, hookah’s freedom from heavy tanks and its trajectory of rapid technological growth make it the clear future of the industry.  

Conclusion

The evolution of hookah diving reflects a remarkable journey from the hand-pumped air into the copper helmets of the 18th century to the sleek, battery-powered systems of today. What began as a heavy industrial tool has been transformed into a portable «grab-and-go» solution, making underwater exploration accessible to everyone from boat owners to reef explorers.

While traditional SCUBA has reached its limits, hookah diving is rapidly improving thanks to modern battery and compressor technology. Systems like AirBuddy show that we can now dive anytime and anywhere without the bulk of heavy gear. While SCUBA will always have its place in the advanced diving, hookah is becoming the go-to choice for recreational fun. Ultimately, this technology has lowered the barrier to entry, proving that the future of diving is lighter, simpler, and more efficient than ever before.