Core Underwater Scuba Skills: Hovering, Finning, SMBs

Underwater skills are what separate divers who are simply underwater from those who dive with control, awareness, and purpose. Mastery here doesn’t mean being perfect it means being capable, calm, and comfortable in motion and in place.

This section focuses on core movement and positioning skills that make your dives safer and more enjoyable, as well as the tools and techniques that support team diving and navigation.

Topics Covered

How to Hover

Hovering means staying completely still in the water—no movement, no drifting. This guide breaks down how trim, body position, and breathing all work together so you can stop hovering by accident and start doing it on purpose.

Finning Techniques

Learn how to frog kick, back kick, and helicopter turn for precise control and minimal impact. These finning techniques reduce silt, conserve energy, and let you move—or stay still—with purpose, not momentum.

Diver Buddy Positioning

Good buddy positioning means more than staying “nearby.” Learn how to stay at the same depth, maintain visual contact, and move as a team—whether you’re diving as a pair, a trio, or a team of four.

SMB Deployment

Deploying a dSMB midwater is a critical safety skill—not just for drift dives but for any open water ascent. This guide shows you how to launch cleanly while staying neutral, in control, and horizontal—so you signal the surface without creating a problem below.