Joel

Hi all

A very noob question about navigation and boat dives. I have just been certified OW and in the slightly longer term, I'm planning on doing the AOW, but I think I'd like to get some more diving experience first.

In the dives that I did after my cert. dives, the boat chased the bubbles so a was always right by the boat when i surfaced - no problem. But from what I've heard, that's not how boat dives always work. I feel that the basic navigation skills i've learned in OW aren't really sufficient. I mean, I can manage to plot a reciprocal course, but heading straight in one direction and then turning around and coming back - counting kick cycles all the way - isn’t really how people dive, right?

My instructor gave a brief overview of using natural features to navigate by, but unless I’m really familiar with the site and the visibility’s pretty good, I don’t know how I’d do on that score. How do i find my way back to the boat?
Or do i surface wherever and make a surface swim to the boat?

Really appreciate it if u guys will share your valuable experiences with me.

Makatza

There should be physical structures when you dive, maybe you can mark your position with the anchor or something. If not I really don't suggest you go too far away.

Qasim

How far are you trying to go We only got a few hours of oxygen and so you need to consider the back and forth trips. If not you will be finding yuorself swimming headup....

Jolly Diver

The easiest way I have found to navigate and still get to see plenty of stuff is to decent vertically. Once down set out in a specific direction, go for a specific time or more likely air amount (depending on current ) then turn 180 deg. and head back to your decent spot then take another line slightly different and head out in that direction monitoring you time or air. Do this in a circle or until you get to 500 psi. That way you always know where your boat is and you can always go back to where you started. Do that for a couple trips, learn how to navigate a little better and eventually you can just take off with confidence.

Also, discuss possible routes with you dive master. He may (or may not) give you some direction on where the best stuff is anyway like swim threws or caves or especially nice coral. Just like anything else, navigating takes practice. The more you do it and the more familiar you get with your compass the better off you'll be.

Also, you might try going out and buying a compass and taking a trek in the woods. Some place where you could find your way back if you got lost but where you could still learn to develop your compass and navigation skills. Go out and explore your compass and develop some confidence in your navigation skills.

My two cents,

Jolly

scuba jerm

I agree with Jolly Diver, just start using your compass and you'll get the hang of it. Practise diving in Lakes that are really murky... say like 1 to 2 feet vis, pick out a spot you want to go, then try and get back. Without the vis, your skills with the compass will improve, because that is all you have to rely on.

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Scuba Jerm