Core Diving Skills: The Foundation of Safe, Comfortable Diving

These are the skills every diver should master—whether you’re just certified or have hundreds of dives. Core skills aren’t just about passing a class. They’re about staying in control, protecting the environment, and being a reliable buddy.

This section covers the essential in-water skills that form the baseline for good diving, no matter what gear you use or where you dive.

Buoyancy, Trim, and Weighting

Hovering effortlessly, staying off the bottom, and staying neutral at safety stops are all signs of a well-weighted, balanced diver. These skills affect everything else you do underwater.

• Buoyancy & Weighting: How to Calculate Proper Weighting
• How to Perfect Your Trim for Effortless Diving [COMING SOON]
• Why Most Divers Overweight Themselves [COMING SOON]
• Balanced Rig: Understanding Proper Weighting

Ascent & Descent Control

Smooth descents prevent equalization issues. Controlled ascents prevent injuries and make safety stops easier. These aren’t just checklist items—they’re critical for safe diving.

• Ascent Procedures: Controlled Ascents & Safety Stops
• Equalization Techniques [COMING SOON]
• How to Do a Giant Stride Entry (With Common Mistakes)
• Shore Diving Entry Techniques: How to Get In Safely

Breathing & Air Awareness

You don’t need to be a yoga master. But knowing how to breathe efficiently and check your SPG regularly is critical for safety and comfort.

• How to Improve Your Air Consumption [COMING SOON]
• Recreational Gas Planning

Mask Skills

A foggy or flooded mask can ruin a dive if you don’t know how to handle it. These skills help you stay calm and fix problems mid-dive without surfacing.

• What to Do If Your Mask Floods [COMING SOON]
• The Most Common Mask Mistakes & How to Fix Them [COMING SOON]

Basic Propulsion

You don’t need fancy kicks on day one—but you do need to move efficiently without stirring up the bottom or crashing into your buddy.

• Basic Kicks for Recreational Divers [COMING SOON]
• How to Avoid Silting or Stirring the Bottom [COMING SOON]