Buoyancy control device (BCD)

An essential piece of scuba diving gear, the buoyancy control device (BCD) aids divers in maintaining neutral buoyancy underwater. In essence, it is a vest-like device that divers wear to regulate their buoyancy by changing the amount of air inside the BCD. This is how it goes:

Buoyancy Control

A diver must establish neutral buoyancy, or the state of neither floating nor sinking, before entering the water. By adding air to achieve positive buoyancy (floating) or releasing air to achieve negative buoyancy (sinking), the BCD enables the diver to regulate their buoyancy.

BCD Inflator Mechanism

A low-pressure inflator line that is normally attached to the diver’s tank makes up the BCD’s inflator mechanism. The diver can inflate the BCD and become more buoyant by pressing a button on the inflator to discharge air from the tank into it.

BCD Inflator Mechanism

A low-pressure inflator line that is normally attached to the diver’s tank makes up the BCD’s inflator mechanism. The diver can inflate the BCD and become more buoyant by pressing a button on the inflator to discharge air from the tank into it.