Mastering Buoyancy: How to Stop Fighting the Water
The Elevator Effect Many new divers treat their BCD like an elevator button—adding air to go up, dumping it to go down. The goal is to use your BCD to get neutral, and your lungs to fine-tune your depth. Check Your Weighting Most divers carry too much lead. Do a weight check at the surface with an empty tank (500 PSI / 30 Bar). You should float at eye level with an empty BCD while holding a normal breath. If you sink like a stone, drop a pound or two. Trim Matters If your feet are dragging, you are swimming uphill. Adjust your tank strap height or move weights to trim pockets to get your body horizontal. A horizontal diver creates less drag, uses less energy, and consumes less air.