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It also helps you to establish positive buoyancy when you are on the surface, before and after the dive, so you can float effortlessly.
Many beginning divers lack good buoyancy control. It is very important that during the basic diving course buoyancy control is taught well, including the how and why of buoyancy control, combined with a lot of practice. And this practice should not stop at the end of the course.
It should be trained until buoyancy control becomes second nature. Buoyancy control for divers, remaining neutrally buoyant during the whole dive, should be like driving a car is for experienced drivers: you have done it so often, that it has become an automatic reflex, something you do not have to think about.
When buoyancy control is not an automatic reflex, problems arise as soon as something out of the ordinary happens. A mask fills up with water and needs to be cleared; you need to check your air but cannot find the pressure gauge; a fin-strap breaks and you have to continue the dive with one fin.
All these situations can be resolved in a relaxed manner when buoyancy control is not an issue.
But when you do not control your buoyancy the stress can mount quickly. When you need to clear your mask, and also feel pain in your ears because you sink, and you do not see your buddy because he is now above you, you have created a stressful situation.
When a fin-strap breaks and you exhaust yourself trying to remain at the same level as your buddy, an accident can occur when the stress climbs to panic-levels.
These situations can easily be avoided by learning good buoyancy control. When you pay attention to this, by regularly stopping to move while diving, and feeling if you sink, rise, or remain at the same level, you already improve your awareness.
If you then also practice your basic diving skills while hovering, like mask skills, regulator skills, and out-of-air drills, you are well on your way to becoming a better and safer diver.
Practicing buoyancy control never stops. The more you dive, the better your awareness of your own buoyancy should become. The better your buoyancy control is, the more relaxed and in control you will feel when diving.
You will impress diving buddies when you hover motionless and will avoid damaging the underwater environment. You will become a safer diver by improving your buoyancy control, and you will have more fun under water.
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