When we think about a dive, our minds often jump to the serene glide through a coral garden or the thrill of exploring a wreck. But one of the most consequential moments of the dive occurs much earlier - the descent. Though it lasts only a fraction of the overall time underwater, the descent sets the tone for the entire dive. Done well, it can ensure a calm, safe, and enjoyable experience. Done poorly, it can lead to stress, discomfort, and even danger.
In this in-depth companion to our video, we explore the art and science of descending - from proper weighting and trim to team procedures and problem-solving. Whether you’re a novice diver seeking to build better habits or an experienced diver refining your skills, this article will elevate the way you descend, quite literally.
Descending is often rushed or treated as a mere transition between surface and bottom. But it’s in these early metres that your ability to manage buoyancy, breathing, trim, and awareness is tested. An uncontrolled descent can not only compromise safety but also set the stage for erratic buoyancy control throughout the dive - the dreaded yo-yo effect, where divers bounce between depths, constantly adjusting gas in their wing.
The descent is your first opportunity to demonstrate control - and it all begins with proper weighting.
Many new divers add extra weight “just to be sure.” But over-weighting is the root of many problems. It causes you to sink too quickly when dumping gas from your BCD (buoyancy compensating device), leads to excessive finning to stay off the bottom, and makes buoyancy control far more complicated.
Correct weighting allows a diver to:
- Float at the surface while breathing normally with an empty BC.
- Start descending only upon exhalation - not immediately after dumping air.
- Control their descent speed simply with breath and body posture.
In our video, the diver effortlessly floats at the surface without inflating the BC. This is the hallmark of precision weighting - you remain in control, never sinking unless you choose to.
If you’re unsure how to check your weighting, watch our guide on proper weight checks for a step-by-step walkthrough.
To start descending, no drastic movements are needed - just a deliberate, calm exhale.
This natural act reduces your lung volume and overall buoyancy, initiating a smooth, controlled submersion. You should already be in a horizontal trim - that is, body flat, knees slightly bent, head neutral. This position slows your descent due to increased water resistance and ensures you’re ready to respond in any direction - vital in emergencies such as an out-of-air (OOA) situation.
A vertical posture, often seen in untrained divers, encourages rapid descents, poor awareness, and limited responsiveness. Train yourself to leave the surface in trim, and your descent - and the entire dive - will instantly improve.
Shortly after initiating descent, it's best practice to pause at 3 to 5 metres - a safety ritual in challenging surface conditions or when time didn’t allow full checks before descending. This pause serves several critical purposes:
- Modified S-Drill: A check of the long hose deployment system in team diving setups. Divers ensure that their primary regulator is unobstructed and ready to share.
- Bubble Check: Divers inspect each other’s gear, looking for gas leaks or loose hoses.
- Team Cohesion: It gives everyone time to regroup, orient themselves, and confirm readiness.
You’ll also begin to detect if you’re over-weighted - if you can’t maintain depth here without inflating your wing or finning upwards, your weighting likely needs adjustment.
After completing your checks, each diver should:
- Read their SPG (Submersible Pressure Gauge)
- Communicate their pressure to the team
- Confirm that everyone is ready before continuing
From this point forward, descend together and at the pace of the slowest diver. Team diving is about mutual awareness. Maintain eye contact, check positioning, and move as a unit. This cohesion ensures safety and allows quick response to any problem - especially in the critical first moments of a dive.
As you progress deeper:
- Adjust buoyancy in small, timed bursts
- Coordinate gas addition to your wing with breathing
- Slow down as you approach the target depth
A controlled descent isn’t about staying still; it’s about staying intentional. Each metre gained is monitored on your depth gauge or computer. The deeper you go, the more rapidly your buoyancy will shift due to gas compression. Learn to anticipate rather than react.
As you approach the bottom (or desired depth), use your lungs to slow - a long inhale will often stop your descent. Then, fine-tune with a small puff into the wing to achieve neutral buoyancy.
Once at depth, your first job is not to swim off - it’s to orient yourself. Check your compass. Identify natural features. Make sure the team is facing the same direction.
Even when following a leader, you are responsible for your own navigation. If separated, you should be able to safely return to the surface, regroup, or rejoin the dive. Don’t blindly follow - stay switched on.
Ear issues are among the most common problems during descent. If you feel pressure building:
- Signal to your team
- Halt your descent by inhaling and staying in place
- If needed, ascend slightly
Try alternative equalisation techniques: swallowing, yawning, or jaw wiggling, in addition to the Valsalva manoeuvre. Never force it. If the issue persists, abort the dive - there is no shame in prioritising safety. A mild cold, congestion, or anatomical differences can temporarily block equalisation.
Pro tip: Begin equalising before you leave the surface. Pre-emptive action is far better than reactive effort at depth.
It may seem unthinkable to run out of gas at the start of a dive, but it happens more often than you’d expect - usually because the tank valve was only partially opened, or not at all.
Symptoms include:
- Breathing resistance after a few breaths
- Complete inability to draw air
- Sudden surprise or panic at depth
This is where the S-drill, team cohesion, and eye contact pay off. By descending in level with your teammates, maintaining line-of-sight, and having a pre-checked hose system, a diver can immediately share air and abort safely.
Descent is not a race to the bottom - it’s a gradual process with checkpoints, roles, and responsibilities.
The way you descend speaks volumes about your diving. It reflects your mindset, training, situational awareness, and respect for the underwater environment. A calm, slow, and precise descent sets the stage for a relaxed and efficient dive.
To recap the essentials:
- Nail your weighting
- Start the descent with breath, not ballast
- Move into horizontal trim
- Perform checks at 3–5 metres
- Descend as a team
- Control depth with breath and small gas bursts
- Watch for equalisation issues
- Always be ready for an out-of-gas emergency
Descending is an art, not just a technique. Master it, and you’ll elevate your entire diving experience - even as you sink below the surface.
