Chapter 3- Navigation
Navigation
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FIGURE 3-6. Distinctive features of a reef formation can look entirely different on your return – look back the way you came, from time to time.
you depart from your planned course, be careful
to note landmarks and the distance you have deviated
from your course. You should try to maintain
direction in a general heading for a roughly estimated
distance, then you and your buddy should
agree on a new general heading to maintain your
pattern.
3. Move forward by moving from aid to aid, and
look back frequently (figure 3-6). By moving from
known point to known point, your progress will
be more easily repeated. Pick out a distinctive
object along your general heading and as far
away as visibility will permit. Work your way to
that object, and then repeat the process. As you
reach each point, glance back along the way you
have come to see what the previous aid looks like
when approached from the opposite direction.
This will be its appearance on your return. These
procedures help you become much more familiar
with an area than just merely noting underwater
landmarks from time to time.
4. Develop a desire to remember. If you want to
remember natural aids, starting points, and little
details to help you navigate more accurately, you
can. You should want the ability to navigate well.
If the desire is there, your awareness, perception,
and memory will be much greater than if your
interest is lackadaisical. By wanting to navigate
well, you will be able to develop the ability quickly
with practice and concentration.
COMPASS NAVIGATION
Good compass use is essential to most underwater
navigation. You will usually use a combination of compass
navigation with natural navigation techniques in diving.
Only seldom does a diver use one to the exclusion of the
other. You are familiar with how a compass works, and
you know how to set a course on a compass and follow it