Buoyancy Control Techniques for Scuba

Being able to scuba dive successfully means also being able to understand how to manage buoyancy in water. Done incorrectly, a diver won't be able to go underwater very well and can even get turned around or spun upside down by the water. The process involves understanding one's own body weight, the type of water involved and the use of diving weights. When the right combination is used, the diver can manipulate water pressure to allow successful diving.

  1. Buoyancy

    • Buoyancy represents the amount of pressure water provides pushing against the gravity of an object in that water. Salt water is denser than fresh water, so it has more buoyancy pressure. When a person gets into the water, they will either start to sink or float, depending on their weight versus the water pressure pushing upward.

    Scuba Diving Ideal State

    • The ideal state for scuba diving is to obtain a level of neutral buoyancy. When achieved, the diver can move up and down in the water at will without much difficulty. This conserves energy in swimming as well as valuable air not being consumed exerting too much energy trying to control water pressure.

    Weights

    • Diving weights have long been used for adding weight to a diver to allow downward penetration of the water. They are still used today in the form of a diving belt. Adjustments in how much weight is used occur regularly depending on the type of water involved, weight changes and the use of a diving gear or not such as diving suits. Letting go of the weights underwater then allows the diver to float upward easily as his overall buoyancy is changed.

    Breathing Control

    • One of the aspects that contribute to positive buoyancy is air within one's body cavity. By breathing out, this air is released and the body becomes denser. This makes diving downward easier. By breathing in and filling up with air, the body becomes a bit like a balloon and floats more, which helps with holding a stationary position or rising in the water.

    Specialty Tools

    • Some wet suits allow air to be injected into the suits to increase floating capacity. In doing so, these kinds of adjustments add to the buoyancy of a diver, making it harder to sink in the water pressure. The added air also offsets surrounding water pressure on the body as compression becomes more significant at deeper levels. Additionally, buoyancy compensator equipment also lets divers make fine-tuning adjustment to buoyancy while underwater. Entering the water the compensator is filled with air. When ready to begin diving, the diver lets some of the air out, changing his buoyancy. Gravity takes control and he begins to sink. The opposite can occur adding air to the compensator from the air tank, and the diver will begin to rise.