The Collaborative International Dictionary
Self-contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus
Self-contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus \Self`-con*tained" Underwater Breathing Apparatus\, n. A portable device to allow divers to breathe while under water, consisting of one or two tanks of compressed air which are strapped onto the back of the diver, and are connected by tubing to a mouthpiece through which the diver receives the air from the tanks at rate adjustable by a valve; -- called also SCUBA, SCUBA gear, or SCUBA apparatus.
Usage examples of "self-contained underwater breathing apparatus".
The SCUBA--short for Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus--came next.
On the other hand, the Scuba-Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus, like the boys' aqualungs, really does allow the diver to get down among the fish.