Dive skill video: neutral buoyancy

Neutral buoyancy is often called the "holy grail" of diving skills - and for good reason. It's the difference between a diver who crashes into coral or stirs up the bottom and one who glides effortlessly through the water with minimal impact. While there are several methods to teach this essential skill, today we're focusing on one of the most effective approaches: the fin pivot technique.

Whether you are working on your skills for your PADI Divemaster or Instructor course, or you just want to improve, you will find some tips below.

Check out the video below for a demonstration, and keep reading for some extra tips!

Why the fin pivot works

The fin pivot is one of the common methods for teaching neutral buoyancy because it provides clear visual feedback. It isolates the buoyancy control element by anchoring the diver in place, allowing them to focus entirely on their breathing and its effect on their position in the water. This technique creates an "aha moment" for many students when they first experience true neutral buoyancy.

Breaking down the fin pivot technique

Step 1: Position and anchor

Have your student:

• Kneel on the bottom and empty their BCD

• Extend their legs behind them so only the tips of their fins contact the bottom

• Keep their body horizontal, parallel to the bottom

• Position their hands either at their sides or folded across their chest

  
  

Step 2: Initial buoyancy adjustment

Guide your student to:

• Add small amounts of air to their BCD until they feel "almost" neutral

• Maintain contact with the bottom using only their fin tips

• Keep their body level, not allowing their legs to float upward

  
  

Step 3: Breathing control

This is where the magic happens! Instruct your student to:

• Take a normal breath in and observe how their body rises slightly

• Exhale normally and notice how they sink slightly

• Focus on the connection between their breathing and vertical position

• Use only their breathing to control their position for several breath cycles

  
  

Step 4: Fine-tuning with the BCD

Once they've experienced control through breathing, have them:

• Add tiny amounts of air if they're consistently sinking on inhale

• Release small amounts if they're floating up too high on inhale

• Find the "sweet spot" where a normal inhale brings them level and an exhale lowers them slightly, without floating up or crashing at the bottom

  
  

Step 5: Transition to swimming

While this is not necessary as a part of this skill, this is a great way for them to understand how they should use neutral buoyancy during their dives. When they've mastered the stationary pivot:

• Have them gently push off the bottom

• Maintain the neutral position while swimming slowly

• Continue focusing on breath control as they move

• Practice maintaining position using only breathing

  
  

Teaching tips for dive professionals

1. Demonstrate first: Show a perfect fin pivot before asking students to try. Let them observe how your body moves with each breath.

2. Use visual cues: Position yourself where students can see you and use hand signals to remind them to focus on breathing rhythm.

3. Address common issues:

   • Students adding too much air at once

   • Holding the breath instead of breathing normally

   • Using hands to stabilize (encourage folded arms instead)

4. Build confidence gradually: Once they master the stationary pivot, have them try maintaining neutral buoyancy over different bottom depths before attempting complex skills.

   
   

Remember that mastering the fin pivot is about developing "buoyancy intuition" - that almost subconscious awareness of how breathing affects position in the water. When your students achieve this, they've unlocked the key to becoming truly comfortable divers who can protect the underwater environment while enjoying effortless exploration.

🌊 Check out our video demonstration of the fin pivot technique for visual guidance on teaching this fundamental diving skill! 🤿