The IANTD – Perfect Buoyancy course is one of the most popular after the entry-level courses. Many divers ask professionals and more experienced divers how they do to consume less air. Their answer is often about having good buoyancy.
With good buoyancy, we are able to not only save air but also to be more comfortable, to have a better control et ultimately become a safer diver. Diving overweighted not only have disadvantages, it can be a safety issue.
In the course, we see how the choice of equipment as well as the environment can influence the buoyancy of divers. We do not weight ourselves the same if we are diving with a short wetsuit compared to a drysuit with an undergarment. Another example of gear influence on buoyancy is the use of aluminum cylinder versus steel. Just this difference can make a few kilos difference in the weight required.
After having understood the basic theory comes the most important part. Practicing buoyancy. With the guidance and close supervision of an instructor, you will learn to correctly evaluate your weight requirement. You will also learn and practice to achieve a horizontal trim position if it was not done in the previous courses.
This course can as well be beneficial to more advanced divers who desire to improve and tweak the way they dive.
The theory with the principles of buoyancy
It is Archimedes in his bathtub who understood the basic principles of buoyancy. He then wrote the first practical laws of buoyancy when objects or bodies are submerged in liquids.
But the theoretical segment of the course is not very complex. Some quite minimal math as buoyancy can be said to be something we feel. There is no formula or magic wand of perfect buoyancy. It needs to be understood and mastered in a practical way. Another factor that adds to this is that buoyancy changes with each person. Physiology unique to each diver requires a personalized attention.
Workshop and pool sessions
Although we strongly recommend it for a complete course, there is no need to go out in the ocean to practice buoyancy. An environment like our pool is distraction free to focus on buoyancy. It allows divers quick changes in equipment configuration and faster tuning of weight distribution. After this basic pool part, it will not matter which environment, suit or equipment used. Divers will be able to apply what they learned to accommodate the change.
Dives in a real natural environment
Dives in open water give the chance to the participant to put in actions buoyancy principles in a real environment. After the dives, the instructor can offer tips and recommendations on how to further fine-tune buoyancy.
Course schedule and timeline
The IANTD – Perfect Buoyancy course can be completed in many ways since it does not require although strongly recommended open water dives. Our 5 meters deep pool is perfect for this course offering a much more realistic environment to practice. It takes one day at the dive center or 2 days with the dives on a trip option to complete the course.
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The IANTD – Perfect Buoyancy course prerequisites
To enroll in the IANTD – Perfect Buoyancy course you need to have a certificate as an IANTD – Open Water Diver or an equivalent certificate. 12 years old is the minimum age for the course. In the case participant are underage, a signed release and approbation from the parent or legal tutor is required.
This course can also be combined with the IANTD – Open Water Diver course It then gives participants much better foundations to built on through later diving or training.
- To be certified as an IANTD – Open Water Diver or equivalent certification
- 12 years old
What is included in the IANTD – Perfect Buoyancy course
To make it easy, packages include all the required material and cost for the course. You only have to bring your own sunscreen and towel, we gladly take care of the rest.
- The learning material in electronic format for the duration of the course
- The instructor
- The certification card in electronic format (available in a plastic format on special request)
- Rental of the full kit of gear including; mask, fins, snorkel, short wetsuit, regulator set, buoyancy compensator and weight system. Dive computer, tank, and fills are included as needed
- Meals and snacks if taking part in trips which include breakfast and lunch, as well as fruits, refreshments, tea, coffee, soft drinks, electrolyte drink and most importantly drinking water
IANTD – Perfect Buoyancy specialty course package
This course does not have many options but can be combined with pretty much any other courses. Prices for each component of the course is listed below starting with the pool only course.
| IANTD – Perfect Buoyancy basic course (Pool only) | 2,500 |
| The recommended option of 2 open water dives with the instructor | +1,400 |
| An extra day with or without dives for remediation and practice with the instructor. | +1,800 |
| Prices are subject to changes without prior notice. We recommend to contact us directly to obtain up to date prices and a more personalized service. | |
What else we need to know about the course IANTD – Perfect Buoyancy
The IANTD – Perfect Buoyancy course is one that the teaching become at one point quite limited. It relies on the understanding and skill level of each diver. We give all the tools to achieve near perfect buoyancy but only by themselves, divers can reach their goals.
The outcome of the course may vary from one individual to the next.
The dive sites chosen to conduct the course cannot be changed by the participant and is left at the discretion of the instructor running the course.
After theIANTD – Perfect Buoyancy specialty course
The IANTD – Perfect Buoyancy course can be combined with other core courses such as the IANTD – Open Water Diver or the IANTD – Advanced Adventurer. We can also include and combine this specialty course with other specialties to help divers reach their goals. You may also take a look a the following course.
- The other IANTD Specialty Courses
- The next step, the IANTD – Advanced Adventurer course
- The IANTD – Diver Stress & Rescue course
- Learn CPR and First Aid in the IANTD – React Right course
