Lousy at compass training

[skybird]

well, today I didn't get to "play" at the quarry. Today was compass training. All I can say is " I SUCK" Need MUCH practice. Im so glad I have a very patient, easy going instructor.

SkyBird

 

[gecko2gecko]

Funny you say that. You know how some people say stuff like "you couldn't find a pole if it hit you in the face"...? Well, on my navigation dives that is basically what happened. I was going along looking and I could not find a single stinking thing....LOOKIN, LOOKIN, LOOKIN...Nothing. My buddy started pointing at something...still nothing. I think he actually had to put his hand on it to help me find it. Granted, we were in 3-5 vis, but I felt so freaking clueless. I really wasn't as far away as I thought...just a foot or so to the left. Not too bad for my first try. I'm sure you'll get it. Patient instructors are a God-send!!!

 

[scubagal28]

well, today I didn't get to "play" at the quarry. Today was compass training. All I can say is " I SUCK" Need MUCH practice. Im so glad I have a very patient, easy going instructor.

SkyBird

Don't worry it will get easier. When I was taking my AOW I did some navigation dives and completed them but still didn't feel comfortable. So, I decided to take the complete navigation course and I have one more dive to do to complete it. It is a lot easier for me now. Hang in there!

 

[Damselfish]

My first square I got right back to my starting point ... in 3 legs. :11:

 

[StSomewhere]

My first square I got right back to my starting point ... in 3 legs. :11:

Cool. Compass Nav by Escher.

 

[Jafo123]

The last time I was out trying to improve on my navigation it was a simple out and back dive from the anchor rope. It was about 6 foot vis. On the way back I kept thinking I should be getting close only to run right into the dive rope while I was watching my compass. Now on to some harder dives.

jafo123

 

[spectrum]

You'll get it.
Walk some drills on land to convince yourself you have the skills.
Do some simple back and forth runs under water to convince yourself it works.
Remember to hold it level and in line with your body.

After a few good experiences your ability and confidence will soar. Learing to trust it is a big thing. At least in the quarry you don't have to worry about swimming out to sea! Don't forget all of the natuaral navigation signs as well. Good article in the latest Dive Training Magazibne, free at your LDS. If you not reading it you're missing out on a lot.

Pete

 

[joe rock]

well, today I didn't get to "play" at the quarry. Today was compass training. All I can say is " I SUCK" Need MUCH practice. Im so glad I have a very patient, easy going instructor.

SkyBird

Skybird, keep working at it. During my AOW the navigation dive went fine. Next dive was a search & recovery dive. Had to now REALLY apply those navigation skills. After the first pass, I started to lose my buoyancy becasue I was concentrating so hard on the dang compass. Well than everything fell apart. We went back to our starting point and completed the search and actually found the object we were looking for.

And it all seems so easy

 

[pete340]

Cool. Compass Nav by Escher.

Or at the North or South Pole.

 

[Damselfish]

Or at the North or South Pole.

yeah, yeah, that was it.

(couldn't have been that sudden current I didn't account for very well in the crappy vis...)