Peak Performance Buoyancy - What's involved?

[DeltaWardog]

As new divers, my wife and I could use some help on our buoyancy techniques. When we both dove Cozumel last year we were very aware of our buoyancy and never touched the reef, but I think we could use some more instruction on techniques and ways to improve our trim in the water.

So I checked with the dive shop we'll be using in Bonaire, and they offer a PPB course that's 2 days / 3 dives. I've seen PPB mentioned many times on the board as a good class to take, but never what it entailed other than "getting your weight and trim perfected".

I'm asking for an instructor just for my wife and myself so we won't have other students to contend with and we'll each get lots of 1 on 1 time. What should I expect to go on in those 3 dives? What questions should I be asking to make sure we get a good class?

 

[1_T_Submariner]

I would expect proper weighting, balancing of you gear, how gear configuration effects trim, the instructor diving with you and using a video camera or digital pictures to show you trim etc... would be good. I'm not an instructor just my thoughts.

 

[1_T_Submariner]

Ok I checked the PADI web site here you go.

"Float effortlessly, drifting over reefs. Be the diver you want to be, with ultimate buoyancy control, able to hover close to the bottom and examine underwater organisms without touching them.

Buoyancy skills separate the good divers from the great divers. In the Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty course, you will learn to how to precisely weight yourself for optimum control, poise and balance. You learn to ascend and descend so effortlessly, it seems like you only think about it and it happens. By mastering streamlining, you move through the water cleanly, efficiently and gracefully. You swim near fragile environments without harm to them or yourself.

Must be a PADI Open Water Diver or Junior Open Water Diver certification (or qualifying certification from another organization) and 10 years old.
Number of dives: Two
Buoyancy fundamentals, weighting and adjustments
Streamlining, balance and trim
Fine tuning buoyancy and mastering hovering
Materials: You’ll Need Peak Performance Buoyancy video
Certification counts toward the PADI Master Scuba Diver rating.

Get the buoyancy control great divers have with PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy.

For more information on becoming a PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Diver, please contact your local PADI Dive Center or Resort or explore more course options below."

 

[Doc]

never what it entailed other than "getting your weight and trim perfected".

That would be the major goal.

Then you work on minute depth and attitude adjustments in the water column by inhaling deeply or conversely- completely purging your lungs.

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

you dont need a class to learn buoyancy, just time. a pool is the easiest way to start as you avoid current, surge, extrme temps, etc.

I throw a pile of soft weights onto the pool bottom including some ankle weights. that way you can add and subtract weight without getting out of the water. Good trim is the place to start, figure out where you need to put weight to stay horizontal without kicking or moving your hands at all. The key to trim for me was getting the right wing for my BP/W setup and learning to always keep my feet up and frog kick rather than extended like in a flutter kick position.

minimizing all the crap you do need makes life easy, for pool practice go in your standard exposure protection but avoid taking clutter like dive knives, goody bags, pockets, spools, reels, lift bags, octopus, slates or anything else to dangle that way its clear and easy to add/subtract weight or adjust tank height or shoulder straps (all that can be done without surfacing and if you cant you shouldn't be diving)

 

[nitroxnut]

As a PADI MSDT instructor with over 3,000 dives and instructing the PADI PPB course, I have my students view the PADI PPB video, do minimal "classroom" discussion on some in water techniques concentrating on breathing, doing a detailed weight check, equipment survey and streamlining techniques. I work my students on breathing on descent and accent as well as during the training dives. I use an obstacle course scenario in my training with swim thru objects staged at different levels where the students have to navigate thru. The swim thru's I use are designed by me and are adequate in size to go thru but small enough that the student has to be streamlined and in control of their body to navigate without touching the swim thru's, going from one to another at different depths in which the student has to focus on breathing techniques to ascend and descend to the different levels. I also have my students descend to a specific "target" strictly by breathing and then ascend by breathing. Breathing, proper weighting, proper weight distribution, equipment being used and streamlining are the essential's as I see it. Improper equipment sizing or needs for the dive type can be critical, accessory distribution on gear plays an important role also. And dont forget if you are taking a video or camera that will impact your buoyancy dramitically and you will learn to make adjustmenst with such accessories on a dive. Once you complete a PPB course, the only way to really "get it" is to dive, dive, dive.

 

[RonFrank]

I would assume you must get the book, and study it before the trip?

In any event it certainly can not hurt to dive with an instructor, and get his input after each dive.

As for what is involved, the main goal is horz trim, proper breathing, and effective use of your BC. Will you have perfect trim after the class.. doubtful, but it should teach you what to pay attention to, and practice.

 

[Blackwood]

The key to trim for me was getting the right wing for my BP/W setup

How many wings did you try, and what difference did they make to your trim?

 

[nitroxnut]

Another note to your question. Make sure you ask about their thoughts on breathing techniques, everyone has their own recommendations on it. Gather info you can and work with all of it and utilize those ideas you get that work for you and toss those that are either difficult or just aren't comfortable for you. I tell my beginner students that typically, as a new diver you will sort out the majority of PPB issues somewhere between 50-75 dives. Tha in itself wont help you "get it right". Utilize the knowledge and experience of a pro to your advantage on this. "Winging it" and experimenting on your own doesn't necessarily mean you "got it". While it may work, chances are you have developed a bad habit that really isn;t helping you out. While many will tell you you dont need to take a course, that time diving will sort it out, a lack of knowledge and professional guidance leads to improper techniques and ultimately, the goal you have for you and your wife as divers will not be reached. Specialty courses are designed to educate and show you techniques PROPERLY for that given specialty..which PPB is. Make sure you ask ANY question that comes to mind with all aspects of diving with your dive pro, tell them your long range goals with diving and they will get you on the right road. Remember, instructors are professional divers for a reason and your best source of up to date and accurate information regardless the certifying agency you are a member of. Best of luck on your dive adventures!!!!