SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Test Prep

Maintaining neutral buoyancy is essential for a scuba diver to move effortlessly underwater without ascending or descending unintentionally. The key to achieving and sustaining this balance involves the careful management of buoyancy control devices (BCDs).

Keeping a hand on the inflator allows divers to anticipate changes in buoyancy caused by both physiological factors (such as breathing in and out) and environmental influences (like changes in depth). By having quick access to the inflator, divers can promptly add air to their BCD when they start to feel negatively buoyant or vent air when they become positively buoyant. This proactive approach to buoyancy adjustment is critical for maintaining control and comfort during a dive.

Conversely, adding air in large bursts can create a sudden change in buoyancy, which may lead to a rapid ascent or descent, posing safety risks. Achieving neutral buoyancy doesn’t solely depend on exertion during the dive; it is a process of constant adjustment rather than a condition reached only after swimming hard. Lastly, not using the inflator at all would limit a diver's ability to manage their buoyancy effectively, leading to uncontrolled movement underwater.