The Buoyancy Check. "I think I've heard of that," you may be saying. "Oh ya, it's that one thing we did back in my Open Water Diver course in the pool where we had to try to float at eye level before descending." Sound familiar? It is true that the buoyancy check is one of the many skills that must be completed during an Open Water course; however, many times it is rushed, not done properly, and it's importance in the life of a diver is not emphasized enough.
So, Why Do A Buoyancy Check?
A buoyancy check is SO important to ensuring that you, as a diver, are appropriately weighted on each and every dive. Making sure you are properly weighted for your dive allows for good buoyancy, makes diving easier, and more comfortable. Having to struggle to stay on the bottom because you are underweighted can make your dive frustrating and, let's face it, no fun. However, being overweighted significantly increases your risk of injury in the unlikely event an emergency arises, it negatively affects your air consumption, and you'll spend the whole dive trying to fine-tune your buoyancy underwater. Doing a buoyancy check before your dive will allow you to get properly weighted before descending.
When should I do a buoyancy check??
A properly executed buoyancy check will allow you to determine if you are wearing the correct amount of weight before you descend for your dive. If you are over or underweighted, you will be able to add or remove weight before you descend. It is a good idea to start every dive with a buoyancy check when using new gear, a different thickness of wetsuit (or drysuit), different dive location (i.e. different ocean, lake, etc.) and/or different cylinder type/size. If you are new to diving, the buoyancy check skill was taught to you in your open water course during one of your pool sessions. This is a good base point to determine how much weight you will need in the ocean.
How to properly execute a buoyancy check
Step 1: In the full gear you will be wearing on your dive, deflate your entire BCD.
Step 2: Take a full breath in to fill your lungs with air and then HOLD IT!
Step 3: Calmly scull your arms while keeping your legs still (do not kick!) to stay above water and...
Step 4: Slowly stop sculling, and SLOWLY lower your arms to your side. You DO NOT want to be bobbing at this point!
Step 5: You should be floating with the surface of the water at eye level. If you just sink or float a bit underwater you are overweighted, and if you float with your eyes, nose or chin above the water you are underweighted.
Step 6: FORCEFULLY blow out the breath you have been holding...you should then sink underwater. (if this does not occur you are grossly underweight).
Step 7: Adjust your weight accordingly and then try the buoyancy check again until you float at eye level.
Most divers end up overweighted due to the sheer fact that they feel like they cannot get themselves underwater to begin their dive. You may not have thought of it this way, as it is just a matter of getting underwater, but the initial descent is a skill unto itself. You need to start your dive off in a relaxed manner. The key to this is: empty your BCD and EXHALE to get underwater! Our bodies are so used to taking a deep breath before submerging ourselves, but doing so will never allow you to descend. So, on your next dive try a buoyancy check, relax and exhale to descend. Soon you will be diving better weighted than you ever have before!
