About This Course
Float effortlessly — protect what lies beneath
Introducing a diver to the benefits of controlling their buoyancy usually has a great positive effect — one that will enhance the diver's sense of enjoyment and feeling of accomplishment.
This specialty is designed to increase the open water diver's understanding of the factors that influence buoyancy, and to train the diver how to use the available means to control it effectively. The added benefits to the marine and freshwater environments cannot be overstated — a diver with better control is a diver who protects the world below.
Protect the reefDon't touch aquatic life — perfect buoyancy saves ecosystems
Less fatigueLess effort required means more time to enjoy every dive
More bottom timeReduced air consumption means you stay down longer
Better photosControlled hovering means sharper images and video
Photo 1 — diver hovering near reef
Photo 2 — buoyancy skills practice
What You Will Learn
The science and technique behind perfect trim
- Why buoyancy matters — environmental impact
- When to perform a buoyancy check
- Additional equipment and its effect
- Cylinder weight changes as air is consumed
- Using lungs vs. BCD for control
- BCD vs. dry suit buoyancy differences
- Physical fitness and its role
- Breathing patterns and technique
- Suit compression due to water pressure
- Weight — position and distribution
- Streamlining equipment
- Diving environment changes
- Photography and video buoyancy
- Hovering in a fixed position
Required Skills
What you will practise and demonstrate
- 1Perform a buoyancy check and set correct weighting
- 2Demonstrate breathing technique for buoyancy control
- 3Hover motionless in a fixed position
- 4Control position in varying conditions — surge, current
- 5Demonstrate streamlined equipment configuration
- 6Practise controlled ascents and safety stop without touching anything
- 7Log dives and record technique observations
What's in it for you?
- The single biggest improvement most divers can make to their overall experience
- Dive more relaxed, use less air, and spend more time at depth
- Essential foundation for underwater photography and videography
- Counts towards a single specialty rating for the SDI Advanced Diver Development Program