How can a diver manage buoyancy effectively at varying depths?

Managing buoyancy effectively at varying depths is crucial for safety and comfort while diving. The correct choice involves using a buoyancy control device (BCD) and adjusting weights appropriately.

As a diver descends, the pressure increases, compressing air in the BCD and affecting buoyancy. The diver can compensate for this increase in pressure by adding air to the BCD, allowing for better control of buoyancy. When ascending, the diver must release air from the BCD to maintain neutral buoyancy and avoid rapid ascents, which can lead to decompression sickness. Additionally, having the right amount of weight is essential; if a diver is overweighted, it becomes difficult to ascend or control buoyancy properly.

Selecting a lighter wetsuit and consuming more oxygen do not directly address buoyancy management. A wetsuit's buoyancy is relatively constant regardless of depth, and simply increasing oxygen consumption does not influence buoyancy characteristics. Also, increasing dive speed does not effectively contribute to buoyancy control; in fact, it could lead to difficulties in managing ascent and descent rates, which are best done slowly and deliberately for safety and comfort.