Underwater navigation - improving our diving

Have you ever wondered how it is? During the dives on your OWD course, following your instructor, you always got to the right place without any problems. Without the slightest need to get out of the water. Do you remember how many times you lost your orientation or your partner under water? Then, in order to save the situation, you had to swim to the surface, check your position and/or wait for your buddy to come? If you know what I am talking about and the above-mentioned problems are a common occurrence for you, you should seriously consider learning how to navigate and use a compass.

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Why do we need the ability to navigate underwater? Well, thanks to the ability to navigate according to the compass guidelines, we will be able to reach our destination faster and more precisely, it will be easier for us to maintain contact with the group, and we will use our diving time more efficiently.

And finally, we will stop wasting resources of breathing mixture and time looking for the right way or a lost partner.

On the other hand, in conditions of very limited visibility (i.e. diving in Poland), it is the only sure way to reach your destination. Having a compass it is not important what visibility we have underwater. Knowing the right coordinates we will always find the right place.

A significant improvement in our safety while diving – this is the main benefit that comes from a situation when we have mastered this element. Can you imagine several times swimming from the depth of 15-20 meters and more, just to find out if you are going in the right direction? Not only does this result in a loss of breathable air, but it can also take a toll on your health.

Similarly, in poor visibility. In recreational diving, maintaining contact with your partner is fundamental. Various situations happen underwater and it does not take much to get lost. All it takes is a moment of inattention and we lose our buddy from sight. If we have a compass and know how to use it, we may fall behind, but if we know the course our partner is following, we will always know how to find him.

So if we don’t have to swim out every now and then to check our position or find a companion, we are left with more time and gas to enjoy the best thing – diving.

The underwater navigation specialisation is a great complement to courses such as wreck diving, deep diver, ice diving or search and retrieve.

Proficient use of the compass, is an essential skill if we want to develop as a diver. It will allow us and our companions to be safer and enjoy a long dive. With a good combination of several specialties, we will become more complete and confident underwater.

Photo: suunto.com

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