SSI Perfect Buoyancy Diver

SSI Perfect Buoyancy Speciality

Master the Skill That Defines Every Great Diver

Have you ever watched a diver glide effortlessly through the water, hovering motionless above the seabed, moving with precision and using very little air?

That isn't luck—it is excellent buoyancy control.

At Dive Rutland, we believe buoyancy is the foundation of every diver's skill set. Whether you're newly qualified or have hundreds of dives in your logbook, refining your buoyancy will make every dive safer, easier and far more enjoyable.

The SSI Perfect Buoyancy Speciality is designed to help you fine-tune one of the most important skills in scuba diving, giving you greater confidence, improved air consumption and complete control underwater.

---

Why Take the SSI Perfect Buoyancy Course?

Buoyancy is influenced by many factors, including:

• Changes in exposure protection

• Different cylinders

• New BCDs or wing systems

• Twinsets or sidemount equipment

• Changes in weighting

• Salt water versus fresh water

Even experienced divers can find their buoyancy changes when they alter their equipment.

If you find yourself:

• Constantly inflating or dumping air

• Swimming to maintain depth

• Floating upwards when you stop

• Sinking unexpectedly

• Struggling to hover

• Using more air than your dive buddies

...then your buoyancy probably needs refining.

The good news is that buoyancy is a learned skill, and one that can be improved dramatically with the right coaching.

---

Benefits of the SSI Perfect Buoyancy Course

After completing the course you'll be able to:

✔ Hover effortlessly without movement

✔ Improve your trim for a more streamlined position

✔ Reduce air consumption

✔ Conserve energy throughout the dive

✔ Make controlled ascents and descents

✔ Move gracefully around reefs and wrecks

✔ Avoid disturbing marine life

✔ Increase confidence underwater

✔ Become a safer, more aware diver

Many divers tell us this is the course that changed the way they dive forever.

---

Why Learn with Dive Rutland?

At Dive Rutland, buoyancy isn't just another speciality—it is part of our training philosophy.

From Open Water Diver through to Instructor level, we continually develop buoyancy because we believe:

Divers should be divers.

Our instructors don't just teach the required skills; they coach you until buoyancy becomes natural.

During the course you'll receive individual guidance on:

• Weighting

• Equipment configuration

• Trim

• Breathing techniques

• Streamlining

• Efficient propulsion

Every diver is different, so every diver receives personalised coaching.

---

Course Prerequisites

To enrol you need:

• SSI Scuba Diver certification or higher (or equivalent from another recognised training agency)

• Minimum age of 10 years

• Mask

• Snorkel

• Dive computer

• A willingness to learn and improve

This course is suitable for all certified divers, not just newly qualified divers.

---

What Will You Do?

The mandatory part of the course consists of one confined water session.

During this session you'll learn and practise:

• Equipment setup and pre-dive buoyancy checks

• Correct weighting

• Buoyancy fundamentals

• Controlled descents

• Controlled ascents

• Breathing techniques for buoyancy control

• Hovering in multiple positions

• Trim and body position

• Equipment streamlining

• Underwater movement

• Precision buoyancy exercises

• Dive Rutland's underwater obstacle course

It's challenging, rewarding and a lot of fun.

---

Optional Open Water Dives

Once you've completed the confined water training, you have the option of completing two open water dives.

These dives allow you to transfer your new skills into a real diving environment using your normal dive equipment.

Many divers find this is where everything comes together.

Open water dives are highly recommended if you want to truly master buoyancy.

---

Course Duration

The mandatory speciality consists of:

One confined water training session

If you choose the optional open water upgrade, you'll also complete:

Two open water dives

Published course dates are for the confined water session.

Open water dives are arranged directly with you and are typically completed on:

• First Sunday of the month

• Last Sunday of the month

• Additional dates throughout the year

Important: All published course dates relate to the mandatory confined water element of the SSI Perfect Buoyancy course, except for 31st December. If you select the 31st December option, this acts as a flexible booking request. We'll get in touch to arrange mutually convenient dates for your training, including the optional open water dives if you choose to complete them.

---

Additional Costs

If you choose to complete the optional open water dives, the following are not included:

• Open water site entrance fees

• Personal travel costs

---

Already Have the SSI Digital Learning?

No problem.

If you already own the SSI Perfect Buoyancy Digital Learning, we'll deduct the cost of the digital learning from your course price, so you won't pay for it twice.

---

What's Next?

Once you've mastered your buoyancy, why stop there?

Many of our divers continue their journey by:

• Joining the Dive Rutland Dive Club

• Diving regularly with us

• Completing additional SSI Specialities

• Progressing towards Advanced Open Water Diver

• Developing rescue and professional-level skills

The more you dive, the better your buoyancy becomes—and the more enjoyable every dive will be.

---

Frequently Asked Question

Is the open water training compulsory?

No.

The SSI Perfect Buoyancy Speciality only requires one confined water training session to complete the certification.

However, we strongly recommend adding the two optional open water dives, allowing you to practise your new skills in a real diving environment with your own equipment. It's the ideal way to build confidence and take your buoyancy to the next level.