Do you dive with a compass?

[Rick L]

I allways have a compass its a hose mounted scubapro.
Its mounted just before my console.
Most of the time I just use it to show me the way out and back in!
You know head out north come back south.
Rick L

 

[Bob]

I always dive with a compass, before stepping off the boat I align myself with shore then I go... My compass is a Suunto sk6 in a wrist mount. :tree: Bob

 

[ScubaScott]

I always dive with a compass - as so many of the others have pointed out, its easy to get turned around or questioning yourself, even at very familiar sites! Conditions and vis can change quickly, and a couple "I think its this way" thoughts, and you could quickly end up in places you shouldn't be:ditz:

 

[fredk]

never dive without one.

 

[zonie]

I try and use my compass on every dive, weather we are following a divemaster or just diving off a boat that is anchored. It never hurts to know where the boat is incase u get separated from the group or just with your dive buddy.
I have a console mounted compass..

 

[Bob]

If one learns to navigate underwater, it reduces the chances of having to make the embarassing "swim of shame" back to the boat. :tree: Bob

 

[bottom_sucker]

Attached to console. Actually use it since I'm just getting started and want to be sure I can use it.

Very familiar with using compass on land in unfamiliar territory, much different underwater since I can't (unconsciously) use position of sun and time of day to orientate.

And unlike other replies referring to high iron content, I have been accused often of having plain old rocks in my head so don't get benefit of animal instinct to assist navigation.

 

[dc4bs]

Originally posted by Bob
If one learns to navigate underwater, it reduces the chances of having to make the embarassing "swim of shame" back to the boat. :tree: Bob

And save you the cost of a case of beer if you, god forbid, end up on the WRONG boat... ;-0

 

[Scubaroo]

Ok good folks,

How about posting some pictures of a Suunto compass with bungee straps? Did you have to pull the back plate off the compass to thread the bungee? Mine (SK-6) still has the stupid webbing strap and buckle that's not worth the cost of labour to manufacture in my opinion. Bungee cord sounds like a great idea for a computer strap as well.

My compass goes on every dive, and I take a shore bearing before going down (kelp is ridiculous to find your way through without a compass).

Ben

 

[sea nmf]

I have mine mounted on my console and so it goes on every dive. I don't always use it. I frequently do, though.

It works better than by buddy's sense of direction.

(He has A compass too but thinks his sense of direction can be trusted - even though I've proved him wrong a number of times . . . . isn't that what they teach ya in OW? TRUST YOUR COMPASS!!!)