Underwater Navigation Part 1

Underwater Navigation Part 1

This is part 1 in our series on Underwater Navigation. In this video Instructor Bryan Stafford shows us different compass models and explains what their functions are.

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[averyeinhorn]

Bryan, once again a straightforward, easy to follow, instruction on a fundamental of diving skills. There was nothing here I did not already learn, but I now understand it all much more clearly. Keep on educating the diving world.

[wmdoucette]

Great bit of learning.
Remember we can all practice these skills in our backyard or living room! It really gets to be second nature pretty quickly.
I got disoriented at night over a big wreck this spring and I was sure happy I knew which way she was laying and that I had a compass with me! I had myself sorted in no time.

[Binford]

Great subject. So many divers lack navigation skills or just get stuck in follow the DM mode. Part of good situational awareness is knowing your in control of all aspects of your dive. Following along! I like the new intro too. 👍

[jesspeoples]

Great video Bryan. We did an out and back in my open water. For my advance open water, we did a box pattern. I like my compass mounted on my dive computer.

[DavidFrancis]

THANK YOU! This was very helpful. I am currently in a scientific diver class for underwater archaeology and I needed to get some extra help, so I watched your video and it was very helpful!

[dime]

Thanks so much for your time!! Love that someone’s focusing on the compass. So important when you need it. Many people don’t even know how to use it so you’re helping out a lot of divers! Pay attention divers!!

[Nerfball]

Thanks so much!! You really helped to make 90 and 120 degree turns easy and clear!

[univac]

Thanks, the 90 and 120 degree tips really helped.

[kotro]

One good feature with the digital compasses in some computers is that you can go into the software and set your home screen to show the compass all the time if you want. I have the Suunto Eon Core and it is set up to show the compass as the large feature, then the tank PSI (via transmitter), dive time, sweet and all in one piece of equipment.

[ExON]

Personally if I'm going to do navigation I use a regular land compass glued to a slate. I find the UW-compasses to be slow and sticky. Good quality land compasses are also oil-filled and work under water no problem.

[FALCON-nbnq]

Good video. I am still thinking about the "perpendicular" that you mention in the video. Is it perpendicular to the arm when you have the arm in the "navigation" position or is it parallel to a line that goes through your body. Keep the excellent videos coming.
By the way, I like the new intro.

[ivoryjohnson]

Thanks for this post still getting used to new intro thanks again for taking time

[stephensr]

Good navigation relies on many factors. Light, current, depths topography and much more. Experience being the largest. Notice that l didn't mention compass. I never dive without one and it's possibly the most important item l dive with. Maybe more than my dive computer and its definitely my best friend under water.

I like to think my compass is more like a back up. Think of it as a get out of jail card. A way to show you the way home when your not sure of the way home. Dont focus too much on it. Enjoy the dive and relax in the knowledge that your compass will point you back to land if your not sure

[jonnybkuehl]

Great series Brian, What model is the wrist compass there?

[Nerfball]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but with my compass having North at the 180 mark on the dial card ... If I want to turn 120 degree to the right, I will turn my bezel left until North is on 60 ... and to go left 120 degrees, I would turn the Bezel to the right, to 300.

[gmussiluz]

Bryan, recently I disassembled my compass for cleaning and repair and found out that there is a copper ring between the compass and the case. What is it that for?
One of my web search bring me an information about magnetic correction in boat compasses, but not sure about scuba ones.

[vp]

Can you name the compass on the bungee wrist mount please? I don't think you did. I know there are are several, I like the visibility of that one.

[jjjjr]

Does the matrix have a compass and good navigation?

[timgosling]

Good explanation of setting bearings, although I think you mean parallel not perpendicular :-)

[docmccoy]

you know what? There are tons of videos on compass use. Guess what there is not? A video on how to use a digital compass. I have a scuba pro G2 and can't make heads or tails of the compass. I know how to use a compass, I have had tons of land nav and underwater compass work.