What factor is crucial for minimizing risks while night diving?

Maintaining neutral buoyancy is crucial for minimizing risks while night diving because it helps you control your position in the water column, preventing unintentional movements that could lead to accidents or disorientation. When divers are neutrally buoyant, they can focus more on their surroundings rather than their position in the water, allowing for better situational awareness and reducing the risk of impacts with the environment, such as underwater structures or aquatic life.

Proper buoyancy control is particularly important during night dives, where visibility may be limited, and the risk of losing orientation increases. Additionally, being neutrally buoyant can reduce physical exertion, enabling divers to conserve air and energy, which is essential for safety during these potentially challenging and unfamiliar diving conditions.