Chapter 3- Navigation
Navigation
35
Rock
your own equipment on your compass
by placing the compass on the floor, noting its
bearing, and seeing if deviation occurs as you
bring other pieces of your gear in proximity to the
instrument. You will then know how far away you
will need to keep various items in order to prevent
deviation and incorrect readings.
4. Remember to compensate for currents. When
moving with a current, you will cover more distance
than when moving against it. If you are
swimming across a current, the current will push
you sideways, and your actual direction of travel
(your heading) will not be the same as your indicated
compass course (your bearing). You must
swim slightly into the current to compensate for
its downstream push (figure 3-9).
Rock
Actual Dive
Pattern
Theoretical
Dive Pattern
Wreck
Beach
FIGURE 3-8. Staying together with your buddy is easier if you have predetermined a general course for your dive.
Desired Course
Desired Course
Actual
Course
Bearing
Compensate
by swimming
at an angle
into the
current
Bearing
Actual
Course
Uncompensated Compensated
FIGURE 3-9. Remember to compensate for current by swimming
slightly upstream.