Knowledge
Does body fat make a diver more buoyant?
Yes. Body fat is less dense than water and generally increases a diver’s buoyancy.
Body fat is less dense than water and therefore contributes to positive buoyancy. In contrast, muscles and bones are denser and tend to sink more. A diver with a higher proportion of body fat may therefore need more weight when using the same equipment. However, proper weighting also depends on the exposure suit, cylinder and whether you are diving in fresh or salt water.