Larry Wedgewood Scuba Diving Instruction

Learning Guide - Open Water Course  

Buoyancy and Controlling Buoyancy

Lesson 5

Module One 

Buoyancy and Controlling Buoyancy Topic 5 of 6

Course Complete

Buoyancy is one of the properties that make diving special. Buoyancy cancels the pull of gravity, allowing you to “fly” and feel “weightless.” Unless you’re an astronaut, there’s no other way to experience this for more than a few short seconds. Understanding the basic principles will help you learn to control and enjoy buoyancy as a diver. Buoyancy is an upward force acting on an object in water, which is why you feel “lighter” in water. This force is caused by the water displaced (pushed aside) by the object, and is equal to the weight of the water displaced. There are three types of buoyancy: If an object weighs less than the water it displaces, it floats. This is positive buoyancy. If an object weighs more than the water it displaces, it sinks. This is negative buoyancy. If an object weighs the same as the water it displaces, it neither floats nor sinks. This is neutral buoyancy.

Watch the video above and then answer the quiz questions below

Quick Quiz

1. Buoyancy is a force that pushes an object in water upward.

2. My sunglasses case falls out of my pocket into the water, but fortunately, it floats so I retrieve it. I would say my sunglasses case is _______ buoyant.

3. Salt water causes more buoyancy than fresh water because it is less dense and weighs less.

4. To control my buoyancy, normally I will use my weight system and my

5. When I descend, my buoyancy tends to _________. When I ascend, it tends to __________.

6. Underwater, when I inhale, my buoyancy

7. It is important to master buoyancy control because it affects almost everything I do in and underwater.


 

Module One

Water Pressure and Air Volume Effects

Water Pressure and Air Volume Effects

The Effects of Increasing Pressure on Body Air Spaces Topic 2 of 6

The Effects of Increasing Pressure on Body Air Spaces Topic 2 of 6

The Effects of Decreasing Pressure on Body Air Spaces Topic 3 of 6

The Effects of Decreasing Pressure on Body Air Spaces Topic 3 of 6

Breathing Underwater

Breathing Underwater

Buoyancy and Controlling Buoyancy Topic 5 of 6

Buoyancy and Controlling Buoyancy Topic 5 of 6

The Buddy System

The Buddy System

Choosing and Caring for Scuba Equipment

Choosing and Caring for Scuba Equipment

Dive Masks

Dive Masks

Snorkles

Snorkles

Fins

Fins

Scuba Kit

Scuba Kit

BCD (Buoyancy Control Device)

BCD (Buoyancy Control Device)

Regulators

Regulators

Scuba Cylinders

Scuba Cylinders

Weight Systems

Weight Systems

How to Defog Your Mask

How to Defog Your Mask

Setting Up Your Scuba Kit

Setting Up Your Scuba Kit

Inflating and Deflating Your BCD

Inflating and Deflating Your BCD

Gearing Up With Your Buddy(ies)

Gearing Up With Your Buddy(ies)

Breathing Underwater

Breathing Underwater

Hand Signals

Hand Signals

Regulator Clearing

Regulator Clearing

Regulator Recovery

Regulator Recovery

Clearing Water Out of Your Mask

Clearing Water Out of Your Mask

Managing Your Air Supply

Managing Your Air Supply

Descending and Equalizing

Descending and Equalizing

Swimming Underwater

Swimming Underwater

Alternate Air Source (AAS) User

Alternate Air Source (AAS) User

Ascents and Returning to the Surface

Ascents and Returning to the Surface

Emergency Weight Drop

Emergency Weight Drop

BCD Oral Inflation at the Surface

BCD Oral Inflation at the Surface

Exiting the Water

Exiting the Water

After the Dive

After the Dive

Knowledge Review One

Knowledge Review One

Module One Quiz

Module One Quiz

Course Complete
Larry Wedgewood Scuba Diving Instruction

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