What can excessive drag from a BCD affect?

Excessive drag from a buoyancy control device (BCD) directly impacts a diver's energy consumption. When drag is present, the diver has to exert more effort to move through the water, which can lead to increased fatigue and a quicker depletion of energy reserves. This additional effort can also result in a higher oxygen consumption rate, potentially shortening dive time and impacting overall performance.

While it is true that excessive drag can indirectly influence aspects like dive duration and buoyancy control, the immediate and noticeable effect is on how efficiently a diver can move and maintain their desired position in the water. Increased effort can lead to a need for more frequent resting periods and affect the overall comfort and enjoyment of the dive. Additionally, excessive drag might not have a direct correlation to underwater visibility, since it primarily relates to the diver’s physical exertion rather than external visibility conditions.