scuba, snuba divers wear minimal gear. Each diver is equipped with a mask, fins, weight belt, harness, and regulator. The harness holds the regulator and the air line in place, allowing the diver to swim unencumbered beneath the surface. This may be compared to full scuba gear, which includes a buoyancy compensator, weights, cylinder, and can weigh in excess of . Although scuba equipment is nearly weightless underwater, out of the water the weight becomes a significant factor for weak individuals. Unlike scuba divers, the snuba diver is not provided with an emergency buoyancy system. This means that in case of emergency, the snuba diver must reach the surface himself or await the arrival of assistance. On the other hand, a correctly weighted snuba diver, will be neutrally buoyant at all depths (no compressible dive suit), has a hose and harness to prevent sinking, can pull on the hose to surface which is less effort than swimming, and has a raft with a grab-rope to hold on to at the surface. Disadvantages In a strong current, wave action, or breeze, the combination of underwater hose and surface raft can pull quite hard on a diver. Therefore, Snuba is best used in areas where wind, waves, and current are negligible. Since all snuba use is offered by licensed snuba operators, the possibility of being subjected to strong current, high waves, or high wind is unlikely. However, it is beneficial if one employee of the snuba operator remains on the surface to monitor conditions. Since the depth of a snuba dive is limited to about , decompression sickness is unlikely to be a problem. However, as the snuba diver is breathing compressed air so there is still a risk of injury or death due to barotrauma, which is a more severe hazard at shallow depths if divers ascend as little as a few feet without venting the expanding air into their lungs. This danger is easily avoided by breathing normal and continuously while ascending. This point is thoroughly covered in snuba pre-dive briefings, and monitored by the dive guide throughout the dive by watching for the continual release of bubbles from each diver. According to the snuba website, since starting operation in 1989, more than 5 million dives have been conducted without injury or fatality, Nonetheless, there has been at least one fatality to a snuba diver and it occurred in April