controlled ascend

We'll soon be doing some ascend drills from 25m (80ft). Alternative air ascend, normal ascend that sort of thing. We're planning three per dive, we will not (intentionally) exceed safe ascend rate and the ascends will all be performed at the beginning of the dive. Obviously, we will be regularly...

I've read the phrase pertaining to controlled ascends where you "pause, check bubbles" What does that mean? Does that just mean colloquially to check your barometer? To see how much gas is in your tank? Or does it literally mean "look up and watch your bubbles float through the water" ? And if...