Mastering Buoyancy Control

Age, Depth, and Prerequisite Certification

There are minimum age requirements and maximum depth limits for all the specialties that require scuba training dives in open water.

As a result, before you can enrol in the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty course you will need to be (all):

• At least ten (10) years old.
• Already certified as (either):
  • PADI Junior Open Water Diver
  • PADI Open Water Diver or have an equivalent entry-level certification (e.g. from one of the recognised and approved qualifying dive agency crossovers)

Number of Days: One (1)

Open Water Training Dives: Two (2)

Maximum Depth: Depends on age and certification level

Important: Even though PADI scuba certifications do not expire, we recommend reactivating it through a refresher course if you have been away from diving for a while (e.g. longer than six months).

Benefits of Becoming a Buoyancy Specialist

Being able to determine how much lead you need to have, and learning how to streamline your body with trim weights, are two key reasons for taking this course.

Hence, you will get to fine-tune your weighting and conduct several buoyancy checks during the two scuba training dives.

Being neutrally buoyant means you are in control of the speed when ascending and descending. Plus, scuba diving in deep dark water has additional safety issues whereby good buoyancy is very important.

The same scuba skills come in handy when diving on shipwrecks because the structures tend to have tight gangways and open passages for exploration.

You are unlikely to get great underwater photographs if you have poor buoyancy. Furthermore, you want to avoid damaging the fragile aquatic environment.

The benefits of being neutrally buoyant also have a positive impact on the underwater world. For example, you will be less likely to:

• Get injuries from venomous marine life or sharp rocks.
• Make uncontrolled descents and ascents - which also reduces the risk of scuba injuries.
• Scare away skittish (nervous) or small marine animals. So, your overall skills as an underwater photographer should improve.
• Damage your scuba gear inside sunken wrecks or on the seabed.

Having the knowledge and unique skills to explore deeper dive sites away from the shore is another reason for taking the course because that's where you'll find large pelagics.

Do you like swimming with big fishes?

If so, you need to go diving in deeper water that attracts schooling vertebrates and pelagics, such as large barracudas, mola mola, and sea turtles.

Digital Learning Programs for Self-Study

In general, it is much easier for divers with a busy schedule to choose the online learning option to start scuba lessons.

Being able to complete the independent study portion of a multiple day course offers you some flexibility and convenience.

As long as you have a computer or a mobile device, you will be able to study the knowledge development portion at your own pace (online or offline).

PPB eLearning: Up to Four (4) Hours

If you sign up for PADI eLearning® you can complete the self-study assignments online (for around 4,500 THB).

Following that, you would need to contact the dive shop to perform the required scuba training dives with a PADI Instructor to finish the course.

PADI Buoyancy Diver: What Skills Will You Learn?

You need to participate in the instructor-led knowledge development sessions by completing all knowledge reviews from the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy student manual.

Here's why...

Of course, you'll learn how to enter and exit the water in a safe and effective manner (e.g. making a giant stride from a boat platform) while wearing scuba gear.

Besides that, you will also learn about:

• How to achieve neutral buoyancy and trim your scuba gear and accessories for streamlined, effortless diving.
• The advantages of having neutral buoyancy, the correct body weighting (e.g. not too light and not too heavy), and correct positioning in the water.
• Expert tips and advice for hovering horizontal and vertical - and how to make safe, controlled ascents and descents.
• Equipment considerations and scuba diving in new environments (e.g. for drysuit diving in cold water).

Note: Did you successfully complete the elective PPB Dive from the Adventures in Diving Program? If so, an instructor may count it as being the first training dive of the certification requirements in this particular specialty course.

Dive Gear and Specialist Equipment

You will need to wear standard scuba gear for the two (2) open water training dives. Other specialist diving equipment that you'll use may include:

• Dive computer and underwater diving watch
• Dive flags and floats (e.g. diver down flag)
• Scuba clips, hooks, and retractor reel
• Surface signaling devices or inflatable signal tube (e.g. safety sausage or surface marker buoy)
• Underwater Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV)
• Underwater navigation tools (e.g. compass, nav-finder)
• Waterproof cameras and underwater photography equipment

Tip: Using your own personalised scuba equipment during the dive lessons means you can fine-tune your buoyancy wearing the gear that you use on every dive.

FAQ Section and Medical Questionnaire Form

How Many Dives for Peak Performance Buoyancy?

According to PADI®, the official number is a minimum of two (2) scuba training dives. But, your instructor may schedule extra dives for fun or for additional fine tuning.

Is it Harder for Skinnier People to Float?

In most cases, muscular or thinner individuals will sink easier than people who are overweight with extra body fat.

Simply put, a larger surface area with excess percentage of body fat usually floats easier and for a longer period of time. For the same reasons, most females will stay afloat easier than males.

Can I Touch the Creatures Underwater?

Divers share a common responsibility to protect and conserve nature. As a result, passive interaction with aquatic animals helps to safeguard the habitats of delicate and sensitive sea life.

Is there anything I Shouldn't Do after Diving?

After cleaning the gear, there are several kinds of activities that divers should avoid doing after using scuba equipment, including:

• Exercising
• Flying in a plane (including traveling to altitude, such as mountain hiking)
• Having a deep tissue massage, hot bath, or hot shower
• Drinking alcohol
• Forgetting to log the dives

When Should You Do a Scuba Refresher?

Suppose you don't go diving for more than six months. There is a simple way to refresh the knowledge and skills that you already learned.

After a long period of inactivity, taking the PADI ReActivate® program will help you brush up on the safety procedures and scuba diving fundamentals.

Medical Requirements: Free Download

You must be in good physical and mental health and be medically fit for recreational scuba diving. You can review the Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire Online to check whether you need to be evaluated by a physician.

It is not appropriate to ask dive staff (e.g. divemasters, instructors) for medical advice or clearance to go diving. Instead, you can contact the Divers Alert Network (DAN) if you have questions about your medical fitness to dive.

Price for PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty Course in Thailand 8,500 THB*

We have qualified instructors and expert dive guides who can teach in several languages, including English, Thai, and Chinese.

The price includes (all):

Boat trips (with free soft drinks served on board)

Professional tuition from a "Private Scuba" Instructor

Free rental of required diving equipment (including a dive computer)

Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty Manual and Certification Card

Hotel transfers within Pattaya City limits

Important: You will usually be making two (2) scuba training dives in the same day. The PADI flying after diving guidelines say you need to wait a minimum of eighteen (18) hours after the second dive before you go to altitude. Please send us an email if you need further information.

YouTube Video and Knowledge Base for Beginners

Most of the information and advice in this page focuses on scuba diving activities conducted from different types of watercraft and from sandy beaches.

We also have a list of blog articles about snorkeling which relate to popular boating adventures - especially around the tropical islands in Thailand.

Scuba Diving Help Guides

• Advanced Open Water Diver Certification with Private Scuba
• How to Get the PADI Multilevel Diver Specialty Certification
• PADI Scuba Diving Hand Signals Chart (Free PDF Download)

Note: The short video presented by PADI® highlights what to expect from the Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty course and how protocols and procedures may vary in different parts of the world.

What Comes after the Buoyancy Diver Specialty?

Good body positioning and balance is important on every dive. The Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty course enhances your comfort and safety in the water.

So what's next?

This certification links to most scuba certifications, including Specialty Diver Courses available through the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI).

Even so, PADI's PPB course combines very well with several other specialties, including Fish Identification Specialty, Deep Diver, Drift Diver, Dry Suit Diver, Multilevel Diver, and Night Diver.

Note: All course prices for diving are subject to change and assume that all prerequisites have been met to start the training. Click here to contact the team at Private Scuba in Thailand to make a booking or send an enquiry.