Famous Divers: Pearl Divers
Pearl divers in French Polynesia frequently reached depths of 100-130 feet (30.5-39.6 metese), remaining under water for a long as three minutes. Unlike divers in India and Ceylon, these divers did not use stones to weigh themselves down. Instead, they prepared for a dive by hyperventilating, sometimes accompanied by ritual singing. Once in the water, they used only the strength of their arms to pull themselves down. While both men and women dive, traditionally the women are considered the most accomplished divers.
Japanese pearl divers are called ama which literally means "sea woman". Japanese tradition holds that the discipline of Ama diving may be more than 2000 years old. Traditionally, Ama dived wearing only a loincloth. Even in modern times, Ama dive without scuba gear or air tanks, however, depending on the region, ama may dive with masks, fins and torso-covering wetsuits at the most. The female divers who work for tourist attractions use white, partially transparent suits. While Ama are famous for pearl diving, originally they dived for food like seaweed, shellfish, lobsters, octopus and sea urchins - and oysters which sometimes have pearls.
It's supposed that the majority of Ama are women because of how their bodies differ from men. They naturally have more body fat, which ensures that they can stay warmer in colder water and the physiology of female lungs, which are designed to cope with pregnancy, also assists. Women have a higher lung capacity up into the area just under the neck, which allows them to continue to breathe normally when the lower lungs are constricted by the baby they are carrying. This extra air capacity may allow female divers to stay underwater longer than their male counterparts.
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