What factor does NOT affect individual buoyancy?

The correct answer is that water temperature does not directly affect individual buoyancy. Buoyancy is primarily influenced by the physical properties of the individual, such as body composition, the amount and type of dive gear being used, and the diver’s breathing pattern.

Body composition plays a significant role in buoyancy because fat is less dense than water, while muscle and bone are denser. Therefore, a person with a higher body fat percentage may be more buoyant compared to someone with a denser body composition.

The weight of dive gear also impacts buoyancy, as heavier equipment may counterbalance the buoyant force one experiences in water, altering overall buoyancy control. Dive gear includes items such as tanks, wetsuits, and weights, all of which can either increase or decrease buoyancy in relation to the water.

Breathing pattern can change the amount of air in the diver’s lungs, which directly affects buoyancy. Inhaling causes the lungs to expand and take in air, making the diver more buoyant, whereas exhaling reduces this volume, leading to a decrease in buoyancy.

Water temperature can influence the density of water marginally, and while it might have slight effects on buoyancy due to changes in water density, it is not a