Navigation?

[plot]

A little bit of compass and a whole lot of natural navigation usually. Always take a heading before you jump in of the shore line, or where you know there is going to be a wall or reef or some type of landmark so if you get lost you'll at least be able to come up on that broad line (if at all possible anyways).

Then you can jump in and follow the natural lay of the bottom if it allows. Following a slope down, a tree line, a reef, a wall, etc.

A good way to do it in decent vis is to look for a landmark, take a heading with your compass, and then go to the landmark. Then look for the next landmark... and follow your way through. Write all the headings down on your slate of course, and then you can travel the same path back somewhat easily... if you can find enough landmarks and remember them all anyways.

 

[Crunch]

Thanks for the responses - plot, I can see how what you have suggested would be useful.

You all mention that using a compass underwater is the same as using one on land. But a compass is no good without a map?? On land you use a compass and major landmarks AND a map to determine where you are - but underwater, how can you do the same?

I understand that you can use a compass to work out which direction you are going, and using a method like plot's you can work out a route and return along the same route - but other than that, I can't see how else you could do it.

 

[Charlie99]

But a compass is no good without a map?? On land you use a compass and major landmarks AND a map to determine where you are - but underwater, how can you do the same?

I understand that you can use a compass to work out which direction you are going, and using a method like plot's you can work out a route and return along the same route - but other than that, I can't see how else you could do it.

Even without a map, you can keep kind of a "mental map" of where you are with respect to the starting point, or to key natural features.

Here's a post with some recommendations on different dry land exercises with a compass that should help with underwater navigation.

 

[cowdog77]

"A good way to do it in decent vis is to look for a landmark, take a heading with your compass, and then go to the landmark. Then look for the next landmark... and follow your way through. Write all the headings down on your slate of course, and then you can travel the same path back somewhat easily... if you can find enough landmarks and remember them all anyways."
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That's how I generally do it....lot more fun than puttering around the mooring the entire dive!

 

[spectrum]

I can't see how else you could do it.

Like they said, a map in your mids eye and visual cues of the site. After a while you know sites underwater and it gets real easy.

The biggest part for many is building confidence that they are not swimming themselves out to sea. Start with simple in and out courses and vary it from there as you build confidence.

pete

 

[fisherdvm]

They need to market a GPS attached to the floating buoy, and a data cable that goes down to the diver. That way, you tow the GPS and know where you are. Have anyone seen one marketed? It shouldn't be difficult to make one, right??

 

[verybaddiver]

Compasses don't work on most wrecks :>