SDI Advanced Buoyancy Diver
Introducing a diver to the benefits of controlling his buoyancy usually has a great positive effect, an effect that will enhance the diver’s sense of enjoyment and feeling of accomplishment. This specialty is designed to increase the open water diver’s understanding of the factors that influence buoyancy, and to train the diver how to use the means available to him as methods for controlling his buoyancy. The added benefits to the marine and freshwater environments, cannot be overstated; as well as a diver that has better control of himself in conjunction with his environment.
What you can expect to learn:
The SDI Advanced Buoyancy Diver course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:
Why do we care about buoyancy?
- Don’t touch the aquatic life, save the environment
- Less fatigue, less effort required, more fun
- Reduced air consumption = more bottom time
- Able to control buoyancy = better pictures or video
When must a buoyancy check be performed?
- When equipment is changed
- When diving environment is changed
- Have not been diving for a while
- During every dive
Buoyancy Factors
- Additional equipment; photo, video, extra cylinder, extra equipment, dive lights, etc
- Cylinder weight changes during a dive as air is consumed from the cylinder, dependent on cylinder size
- Using lungs vs. BCD.
- Using BCD vs. dry suit
- Staying physically fit
- Breathing patterns and technique
- Compression of suit due to water pressure
- Weights – position and distribution and what impact that
may have
- Streamlining equipment
- Streamlining body (body positions)
- Efficient kicking style
- Practicing your skills
- Weighting
- Swimsuit
- 3mm and 5mm wet suit
- Cold-water suit with hood
- Dry suit
- Swimsuit
- How to perform a standard buoyancy check; with an almost empty cylinder
Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:
- Assembling of dive equipment
- Pre-dive check
- Perform a pre-dive buoyancy check with almost empty cylinder
- Adjust weight to achieve correct buoyancy
- Change cylinder and use a full cylinder
- Do a pre-dive buoyancy check with full cylinder
- Controlled descent
- Hovering exercises
- Fine-tune with breath control
- Fine-tune with BCD or dry suit
- Close to bottom exercises, no touch
- Fine-tune with breath control
- Swimming exercises
- Ascent that includes a safety stop hovering; simulate safety stop if in pool
- Log dive, noting the amount of weight used
- Change to a full cylinder
- Do a pre-dive buoyancy check with the full cylinder
- Controlled descent
- Hovering exercises
- Fine-tune with breath control
- Fine-tune with BCD or dry suit
- Close to bottom exercises, no touch
- Fine-tune with breath control
- Ascent that includes a safety stop hovering; simulate safety stop if in pool
- Log dive, noting the amount of weight used
What’s in it for you?
Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in diving activities without direct supervision of the SDI Instructor so long as the
following limits are adhered to:
- The diving activities approximate those of training
- The areas of activities approximate those of training
- Environmental conditions approximate those of training
*Note: Junior divers (ages 10-14) must participate in advanced buoyancy diving activities with a parent, guardian, or dive professional.
The SDI Advanced Buoyancy Diver certification counts towards a single specialty rating to achieve the SDI Advanced Diver Development program.
Diver Minimum Requirements:
- Complete all open water requirements efficiently
- Demonstrate sound buoyancy techniques
A medical Release is required to take the SDI Open Water Class. Click the blue button to download the current medical Release form. please bring the form with you when you come to the shop to register for the course.
A General liability Release is required to take the SDI Open Water Class. Click the blue button to download the current General liability Release form. please bring the form with you when you come to the shop to register for the course.
Have Questions? Call Us 410-668-6866
Please give us a call, drop us an email diveshop@diversdenmd.com or fill out the contact form and we’ll get back to you.
