Which practice helps divers avoid issues associated with breath-hold diving?

Wearing a buoyancy control device (BCD) is essential for divers because it enhances safety and helps prevent complications associated with breath-hold diving. A BCD allows divers to easily adjust their buoyancy underwater, which is critical for maintaining proper position in the water column and avoiding rapid ascents or descents. This management of buoyancy helps prevent barotrauma and decompression sickness that can arise from poor ascent rates and can prevent divers from holding their breath for too long.

Breath-hold diving requires good buoyancy control to manage the diver's ascent and descent safely without overwhelming the respiratory system. The BCD can be used to offset the buoyancy changes that occur as a diver ascends or descends, making it easier to maintain control over their movements and avoid situations that could lead to swallowing water or having difficulty surfacing.

In contrast, practices like hyperventilating before dives can lead to shallow water blackout due to reduced carbon dioxide levels, which could cause a diver to lose consciousness underwater, making them more vulnerable. Similarly, descending quickly increases the risk of various underwater ailments like barotrauma. While wearing a wetsuit does provide thermal protection, it does not address the specific concerns related to breath-hold diving management.