Your own buoyancy is determined by the difference between the density of the water and the combined density of your body and gear. Since we want to be neutrally buoyant, our weight and volume need to be adjusted to make our density equal to the water's density. So to be neutrally buoyant in salt water, our density needs to be exactly 64 lbs/ft³, and in fresh water, it needs to be 62.4 lbs/ft³.

Buoyancy control is one of the most important skills to master. Your weight belt, BCD, exposure suit, cylinder pressure, and lungs are just a few of the factors that affect your buoyancy.