How does the buoyancy of a diver change as depth increases?

Prepare for the Dive Supervisor Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

As a diver descends into deeper water, the pressure around them increases significantly. This increase in pressure compresses the air in the diver's wetsuit, which in turn reduces the amount of buoyancy that the wetsuit provides. Wetsuits are designed to trap a thin layer of water between the suit and the skin, which is warmed by the body; however, as the pressure increases, the air-filled material of the wetsuit gets compressed, leading to less buoyancy.

Therefore, as depth increases, the buoyancy provided by the wetsuit decreases because of this compression of air. This concept is vital for divers to understand, as it affects their ability to maintain neutral buoyancy during a dive, which is essential for safe and effective underwater navigation. Managing buoyancy effectively is a key skill for divers, impacting their ability to ascend, descend, and stay at a desired depth.

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