<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAchieving horizontal diver trim in the water makes our propulsion more effective: all our thrust goes into covering distance and does not cause buoyancy problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being flat\/horizontal also prevents any water movement (either current upon our body, or our body moving through the water<\/em>) from pushing us vertically in the water column.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"How](\"https:\/\/scubatechphilippines.com\/scuba_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Trim-Water-Lift-1.jpg\")
Trim impacts on your buoyancy when moving through water<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nFor an exaggerated demonstration of this factor, simply stick your hand out of a car window when driving. You can hold your hand still if it is flat. If you angle your hand upwards, the airflow will force it upwards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a diver who is in a bad, head-up\/feet-down trim position, the effect of simply moving through the water will subtly force them upwards. When added to the directional (downwards<\/em>) thrust from fining in that position, it will give the false impression of having more buoyancy than they actually have.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis is why many divers can maintain a constant depth whilst fining but then find themselves sinking (negatively buoyant<\/em>) when they try and maintain a static position without fining.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMany divers with poor buoyancy control will instinctively compensate for this lack of control by adopting a head-up\/feet-down trim position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is a very short-sighted solution, as any buoyancy problems will become immediately apparent when the diver stops moving (i.e. on a safety stop, to take a photo, or when having to deal with a problem<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\nA diver should not underestimate the amount of negative buoyancy that can be offset by fining in a feet-down attitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n