During a buoyancy check, when is neutral buoyancy attained?

Neutral buoyancy is attained when a diver achieves a state in which their body neither sinks nor floats in water, allowing them to maintain a stable position in the water column without expending energy. This condition is typically reached when the diver's weight is equal to the weight of the water they displace.

Floating at eye level, as described in the correct answer, indicates that the diver has achieved this balance. They are submerged enough to be supported by the water but not so much that they sink or rise. This allows for optimal control while diving, facilitating movement and stability.

In contrast, floating at the surface refers to buoyancy but does not necessarily indicate neutral buoyancy because a diver can float at the surface while still being positively buoyant, meaning they would rise if they were to exhale. Being submerged in water does not automatically mean neutral buoyancy is achieved; a diver can be either positively or negatively buoyant while submerged. Holding one’s breath affects buoyancy temporarily since the lungs are filled with air, increasing buoyancy, but that does not represent a stable state of neutral buoyancy. Therefore, the characteristic of floating at eye level is critical for identifying the neutral buoyancy state effectively.