Since DEMA there has been more chatter about UW Navigation systems like GPS for recreational divers but really, how important is it?
Here in SoCal most dive charters do not provide a DM or guide and we are expected to do all our own navigation and the same applies to shore diving. You went in as a team; you find your way out as a team. For those gifted with that innate ability to navigate this is not an issue but for those who tend to get lost in the mall, they might have an entirely different perspective.
Navigation is indeed a skill that can and should be learned but for the majority of recreational divers that will not dive without a DM or guide or, they dive inside a confined space like a dive park, quarry or lake, just how important is it?
Even DMs can get turned around and off course. Wouldn't it be great if the DM turned and looked at the group and gave a signal as if to say, "anyone know where we are", and you could smugly point and do the "follow me" signal? What if the DM took off, or you lagged behind, and you were separated? Or if another diver had an emergency and the DM had to leave the rest of the group?
Even in a "confined" space such as a lake or quarry..it's much more efficient and makes for a better dive if you can find your way out and back, completing the dive without an unecessary ascent and descent and possible surface swim. In a lake there can be boats. A diver without a flag is at great risker when they need to surface.
Navigation is another technique that helps develop your diving skills, gives you a good "mental exercise", and is worth doing "just for the heck of it", even if you will never need the skill in practical application.
Anecdotal story- I camped out overnight at Jellystone campground in Cooperstown NY last summer. I took my dive gear, figured I'd take a swim in the central lake just to see what I might find.
So after setting up camp, I donned my gear and in I went. Apparently the lake is artificial, because it was about 6 feet deep, everywhere. I worked my way across the lake in about 6 inches of visibility, at times I couldn't see my gauges even if they were right in front of my face. Great practice in zero vis conditions, but the dive was BAD.
So I make my way to the other side of the lake, and I surface in front of a father and son, doing some fishing. They were impressed, and asked me what was "down there". I replied, "ah, not much but a bad dive still beats a good day at work". I turned around, and off I went...into even more much because I was reversing course over the silted up bottom. I couldn't see my compass...so I guestimated for a minute or two...heck I was only at a depth of 6 feet so surfacing to check my position wasn't a problem...lol
So I figured I'd swam far enough and popped my head up..and there was the father son fishing dual right in front of me! I said "um...hi, I guess I missed you"...and turned around and gave it another try. I guess it's true..when you're lost..you go in circles...lol