Weighting and Buoyancy
This is one of the most important aspects when it comes to managing your divers to prevent damage to the marine environment, particularly coral reefs. Overweighted divers who do not compensate by putting a small amount of air into their BCD will be at more risk of colliding with corals and can cause a lot of damage. It is also a lot harder to control buoyancy when overweighted, as divers will spend a lot of time bobbing up and down and get distracted whilst trying to get the correct amount of air in their BCD.
It is important that once in the water, you check that your divers are correctly weighted. If they appear to have too much or too little weight then adjust their weight accordingly at the surface before you descend.
Top Tip
Tips for more If their buoyancy control is poor despite correct weighting, make sure you pay particular attention to them throughout the dive. ‘Check dives’ are also a good way to find out what their level of skill is like before you go diving.
Help divers practise their skills
Once divers are correctly weighted, you can also offer some help perfecting their buoyancy skills at the depth of your dive where you intend to spend the most time.