Inept Buoyancy Control

One day, at Ironshore, we were working on using available light inside swim-thrus, and guide Samantha Lungari led a tour through. The first two divers behind Sam -- members of our photography class -- scissor-kicked their way, with buoyancy so poor that they bounced off the walls like arcade-game balls, silting out the joint, ruining it for following photographers.

Maintaining proper buoyancy through tight swim-throughs can be challenging and nerve-wracking, so honest mistakes get a pass. But once a diver has spent upwards of $10,000 on a camera, there are no excuses for creating silt outs due to inept buoyance skills.

Why not invest $200 in A Peak Performance Buoyancy class, which involves game-like exercises that are loads of fun? It also improves your dives and your enjoyment while keeping the reef safe from harm. Proper buoyancy skills should be a requirement for any diver, especially those carrying a camera.