Which of the following actions should a diver take to reduce drag and therefore the amount of exertion during a dive?

To reduce drag and minimize exertion during a dive, a diver should adopt a streamlined body position. This posture promotes a more efficient movement through the water by allowing the diver's body to cut through the water with less resistance. When a diver's body is streamlined—keeping arms and legs close to the body—the overall surface area presented to the water is minimized, which significantly reduces drag.

A wider body position, on the other hand, increases the surface area exposed to the water, resulting in higher drag and, consequently, more physical exertion to maintain speed and stability. Increasing buoyancy or descending abruptly can adversely affect a diver's control and stability in the water, potentially leading to increased resistance rather than streamlined movement. Therefore, maintaining a streamlined body position is essential for efficient diving and reducing energy expenditure.