The Diving Skill That Will Instantly Make you a Better Diver (But Many Ignore)
Hello… It’s me. Can we talk about buoyancy? 🫣
I know, I know… you’ve well past this diving skill and there’s nothing new you’re going to get out of this read…. Or is there?
Ok, this is a controversial one, but buoyancy is the one skill that truly separates great divers from “underwater snorkelers” who constantly move their hands to adjust positioning, often crash into coral or other divers and seem to be unaware of their yo-yo diving profiles going up and down in the water column. (Don’t shoot the messenger..!)
Here’s the controversial part: many divers, even experienced ones (yes, even at divemaster level) never fully master it.
That’s right. You’ve probably seen it yourself — divers with hundreds of dives still struggling to simply….
hover…
still…
without finning.
These could be inexperienced or experienced divers who unknowingly bump into the reef or go through their gas faster than everyone else on the boat. But why? Because buoyancy isn’t just about experience — it’s about effort and awareness.
Let’s have a look at why this happens and what we can do to master it. But first, how can we be sure if we already are deserving of a Buoyancy “Black Belt”? Here’s what to look out for in such diver:
Neutral at Any Depth - Hovers effortlessly without sinking or rising, using breath control instead of BCD adjustments. More importantly - doesn’t need to be constantly fining to maintain same depth.
Proper Trim – Maintains a horizontal, streamlined position with minimal fin movement.
Low Air Consumption – Uses less energy, leading to longer dives without wasting energy fighting the water column.
Controlled Movements – Ascends and descends in control, not too fast, without stirring up the environment. They maintain buoyancy even if task-loaded (taking photos, deploying an SMB...)
Correct Weighting – Can hover at a safety stop with an almost empty tank without shooting up nor sinking.
Environment Awareness – Avoids touching coral, stirring sediment or disturbing marine life. A diver with perfect buoyancy makes it look effortless and is aware of the positioning of their fins when diving in swim-throughs or if too close to the bottom.
Why So Many Divers Struggle With Buoyancy?
No One Told Them – If an instructor or dive buddy never pointed out their buoyancy issues, they might assume they’re fine. Many divers get certified, start diving regularly and never really revisit the fundamentals. (Big No No)
Bad Habits Get Reinforced – Just because someone has 500 dives doesn’t mean they’re doing it right. In fact, if they’ve been diving inefficiently for years, those habits are now ingrained... and they will be harder to correct.
They Rely on Equipment Instead of Technique – Yes, a good wing and backplate setup can help, but true buoyancy mastery comes from body positioning, breath control and knowing exactly how much weight we really need.
Complacency – Some divers reach a point where they think “I’ve been diving for years; I must be good enough.” But true mastery means always fine-tuning our skills. We should keep improving.
So, How Do We Actually Master It?
Dump the unnecessary weight – So many divers are overweighted without realising it. If you still need to constantly add air to your BCD at depth, you’re probably carrying too much lead.
Perfect your breathing – Your lungs are your natural buoyancy control device. Inhale slightly to rise, exhale slightly to sink. If you rely too much on your BCD, you’re missing the point. When entering the water, breath calmly and slowly so you’re not making yourself too buoyant to descend.
Film yourself – Ever wondered how you really look underwater? A quick video can reveal everything from poor trim to unconscious fin movements. Ask a buddy to film you without you knowing. You can do the same so you can comment and exchange impressions.
Do an actual buoyancy workshop – Peak Performance Buoyancy isn’t just for beginners. Even experienced divers benefit from a session focused purely on fine-tuning their control.
Ask for feedback – A dive buddy or instructor with sharp skills can often spot what you don’t.
The bottom line
Just because someone has been diving for years doesn’t mean they’ve mastered buoyancy. It’s a skill that takes deliberate practice, self-awareness and sometimes a little humbleness to admit there’s room for improvement.
The best divers aren’t the ones with the most dives; they’re the ones who constantly work on getting better.
So, be honest — how’s your buoyancy really? :)
