Dive skill video: hover

After mastering the fin pivot, it's time to take buoyancy control to the next level with the hover. Whether you are practising this skill for your Divemaster course or your Instructor course, it is important to master this demonstration!

This skill—the ability to float motionless in the water column—forms the foundation of good diving technique! The controlled environment of confined water offers the perfect setting to introduce and practice this essential technique before taking it to open water.

Check out our video below on how to demonstrate this skill, and then read on!

Hover using low pressure inflator dive skill

Prerequisites for success

Before attempting the hover, ensure your students have:

• Mastered the fin pivot technique

• Achieved proper weighting for pool conditions (slightly different than ocean weighting)

• Developed basic breath control awareness

Breaking down the hover technique

Step 1: Select the ideal pool position

While our video shows sitting in the water in a vertical body position, there are multiple ways to complete this skill. The position your students adopt can vary depending on their buoyancy, body shape and size and comfort level. It is important to make it clear that they can achieve this while using various positions in the water.

Step 2: Establish initial neutral buoyancy

Have your students:

• Add air to their BCD in small, controlled bursts

• Wait several seconds between adjustments to feel the effect

• Stop adding air when they no longer sink when breathing normally

• Fine-tune by releasing tiny amounts if they begin to rise

  
  

Step 3: Use the pool environment as reference

Encourage students to:

• Use pool tiles or lane markings as visual references to detect movement

• Position themselves relative to a stationary object (like a pool light)

• Maintain a consistent distance from the pool bottom

• Note their position relative to the surface

  
  

Step 4: Focus on breathing control

Now comes the refined technique:

• Find a comfortable breathing rhythm that minimizes vertical movement

• Use the lungs as a natural buoyancy compensator

Step 5: Practice stationary skills

Once basic hovering is achieved, you can improve their buoyancy control with some extra fun

• Remain neutrally buoyant while performing simple tasks (checking gauges, adjusting equipment)

• Attempt to hover in different body positions (vertical, horizontal, head-down)

• Try to pass objects between divers while maintaining position

  
  

Teaching tips for dive professionals

1. Progressive challenges: Once basic hovering is mastered, add challenges like:

   • Hovering with eyes closed for short periods

   • Maintaining position while writing on a slate

   • Performing a skill without changing position

   • Hover competitions to see who can stay most stationary

2. Troubleshoot common problems:

   • Over-inflation of BCD

   • Excessive hand movement (the infamous "jazz hands" of new divers)

   • Holding breath (instead of continuous breathing)

3. Pool-specific weighting: Remember that students typically need slightly more weight in the ocean if you carry confined water in a pool.

   
   

Take the next step in your diving career with us

Ready to transform your passion for diving into a professional career? Our PADI Divemaster and Instructor Development Courses are designed to take your diving to the next level while preparing you for success in the diving industry.

With our experienced team and ideal training conditions, we provide:

• Personalized skill development focused on your specific needs

• Multiple practice opportunities in both confined and open water

• Small group sizes for maximum attention

• A supportive learning environment where questions are encouraged

Whether you're looking to become a confident Divemaster or pursuing your dream of becoming a PADI Instructor, our program will help you develop the skills, knowledge, and teaching ability to excel.

Happy bubbles, and we hope to see you on your professional journey soon! 🤿