MasteringUnderwater Navigation: Compass And Natural Navigation

Any diver should be somewhat skilled in navigation. By preventing extended surface swims, it helps save air and lower the danger of becoming lost on a dive site. Learning navigation methods is not as difficult as you would believe. Learning to travel using natural references is just as basic as learning the easy mechanics of compass navigation.

Compass Reading

A crucial SCUVA diving technique is the fundamental navigation ability of compass reading. Navigating shipwreks when the floor, walls, and doors are at different angles to one another requires particular awareness. Furthermore, many of these buildings' metal components can influence the compass needle and produce a false reading for divergent purposes. Remember that a compass is meant to show magnetic north and should be read from this position if one wants the finest possible compass reading. The lubber line should ideally run along your body to eradicate any prejudices. Good navigation helps avoid dangerous locations, prevent long surface swims, and lower the requirement for air remaining or bottom time calculations. Crucially also is mastery of natural navigation, using the underwater surroundings to locate markers and negotiate. These two abilities taken together can help a diver feel more confident and secure while exploring.

Distance Estimation

Underwater navigation calls for both safety and efficiency to depend on knowing where you are going and how long it will take to reach there. This is particularly true in low visibility, when compass navigation is usually the only way you can safely move from one feature to another or back to your boat. In this situation, determining distance can be accomplished by searching for reference points on the ground, such sandy paths or a designated depth contour on coral reef walls you can follow to lead your way along a particular path and then back again. One can also measure distance by counting kick cycles, utilising an echo sounder or a dive computer. On subsea navigation, however, depending on a Doppler Velocity Log (DVL) is generally a considerably more accurate method, particularly when combined with other DVL data products that increase the accuracy of velocity estimations over longer ping intervals.

Visual References

One of the main skills improving diving safety, confidence, and fun is underwater navigation. It enables divers to manage their diving time, find their way back to the boat, discover new dive sites, and negotiate to a particular goal. The free-rotating white face of a compass shows a red line sometimes known as the lubber line (Photo Two). Although some dive compasses provide extra marks like N, S, E and W with tick marks between, it is advisable to keep things basic. Even with exceptional visibility, depending just on a feeling of direction may probably cause you to become lost underwater. Rather, one should actively negotiate using underwater markers and geological features on the bottom of the sea bed. The three PADI Underwater Navigator training dives centre on the following techniques:

Boat Checks

From planning and diving to controlling air consumption and depth, many facets of diving depend on navigation abilities. In addition to shorten surface swim distance at the end of the dive, proper navigation can assist minimise the embarrassment and hazards of buddy separation during a dive. Mastery in underwater navigation also provides more freedom and confidence to visit the several dive locations around Bali. From the immaculate coral gardens of Menjangan Island to the spooky hallways of the USAT Liberty shipwreck at Tulamben, perfect navigation allows each dive site to be fully appreciated. Like any scuba diving techniques, good instruction and consistent practice are absolutely vital. Try running your compass while doing squares or setting headings and reciprocals before you enter the water; getting comfortable with its use begins on dry ground. Dividing tasks also helps as it's possible for divers to get lost navigating.