SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Practice Exam

When should you perform a buoyancy check?

1. Before exiting the water

2. At the beginning of every dive

3. When preparing your equipment

4. Only when instructed by a dive master

The correct answer is: At the beginning of every dive

Performing a buoyancy check at the beginning of every dive is essential for ensuring that you are properly adjusted to your environment and that your equipment is functioning as intended. A buoyancy check allows you to assess how well you are able to float at a desired depth, which is crucial for maintaining control and avoiding unnecessary energy expenditure while diving. By checking your buoyancy before you dive, you can make any necessary adjustments to your weighting, such as adding or removing lead weights, to achieve neutral buoyancy. This helps to enhance your comfort and safety underwater, as well as to minimize the impact you have on the marine environment. Starting the dive with proper buoyancy will enable you to dive more effectively, move with less resistance, and conserve air, leading to a more enjoyable experience overall. Although performing a buoyancy check might be beneficial in other scenarios, the most effective time to do so is at the start of each dive when you can account for the specific conditions of that dive, such as water salinity and gear loadout.