Dive Into Success: Master the SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Exam 2026 – Make Waves with Confidence!

Managing buoyancy properly is crucial for safe scuba diving. When buoyancy is not controlled, a diver can experience a rapid ascent, especially if they become positively buoyant without realizing it. Rapid ascents can lead to a number of dangerous situations, including decompression sickness, also known as "the bends." This condition occurs when nitrogen bubbles form in the body due to a quick decrease in pressure as the diver ascends, which can result in serious health risks. Therefore, maintaining neutral buoyancy allows divers to ascend and descend safely at controlled rates, ultimately helping to prevent incidents of decompression sickness.

The other options do not relate directly to the management of buoyancy in a negative manner. Better visibility of marine life, increased diving speed, and enhanced comfort while diving are not consequences of poor buoyancy management; rather, they could potentially be seen as positive aspects of diving under controlled conditions. Proper buoyancy management contributes to preventing rapid ascents, thus protecting divers from dangers associated with uncontrolled ascent rates.