One of the most important skills for new scuba diver to master is a controlled ascent. It is not uncommon for newer divers to feel okay at depth (>30′) but then feel unstable on ascents and in shallow waters – “I can hold my 20′ safety stop, but when I move shallower, I quickly [...]
In many basic Open Water scuba courses, divers are taught vertical body position for ascents and descents. While there are some benefits to this technique, a horizontal body position is safer, more effective, and much easier to execute.
Body Position
The prone body position, preferred while diving, is also the preferred body position for ascents and [...]
Before we put the basic levers for trim in use, it’s very important to review the horizontal trim position. For the majority of scuba divers, the horizontal trim position is not natural.
Horizontal Position
Consider the body in the horizontal plane. Now consider where the head needs to be for the body to be in [...]
The horizontal trim video below is part of the UTD Essentials DVD:
Overview
The horizontal position is often called prone, superman, or skydiver position. For a scuba diver, the horizontal trim is the most efficient way to move through the water. In addition, the horizontal trim provides vertical drag, helping divers maintain a constant depth.
However, [...]