The best systems
To orient ourselves we basically have two systems: natural orientation, which as its name indicates is provided by nature itself, and the compass (which we will talk about soon). In both cases it is essential to calculate the distance we have traveled, to position ourselves and know the approximate distance we are from the starting point when beginning the return.
Calculation of distance traveled
Time calculation: in a pool, with full diving equipment, check how long it takes you to swim one hundred meters. Maybe it was two minutes? Well, you already know that with the same pace and without stopping, every two minutes you will have traveled 100 meters in the sea.
Fin strokes: Perform the same steps as in the previous section, but this time concentrate on counting how many fin strokes you have to perform to advance the 100 meters. Each fin rise and fall counts as one unit. Move it to the sea and you will know that with "x" strokes of the fin you have advanced one hundred meters. Both this system and the previous one are reliable in the absence of currents. If there is, we must increase the time or reduce it, depending on whether we carry out that section against or with the current, respectively. When the current is lateral to the direction of displacement in both cases we must calculate a drift (a correction we make by "closing" more or less the direction back towards the current depending on its intensity).
Air consumption: if the dive that we plan to do is flat profile (at the same depth), It is very useful. When our consumption is approximately half, we will head back. Keep in mind that the way back is always much faster than the way out, since we spend less time and do not have to spend the security reserve. We can also use this system for underwater routes changing direction for each "x" atmosphere consumed, making geometric figures such as squares or triangles that return us to the starting point.
Reel of rope with marks or tape measure: it is the most accurate but at the same time the most uncomfortable, we will know exactly what distance we are we find from the starting point. Picking up the rope we will locate the exit. Essential in wrecks or caves.
Front strokes: It is uncomfortable but very accurate, try it on a bottom that you have first measured, in this case a swimming pool is not useful, since you take advantage of the stroke along the bottom to move. Avoid damaging it with strokes.
Lateral strokes: This system will be very useful to locate small areas of interest on cliff walls. With this system and the computer that marks the depth oscillations every ten centimeters, the location will be perfect.
Observe and remember
Once we have analyzed the different distance calculation systems, we are going to use the means that nature itself puts at our disposal to orient ourselves. They have always been at your disposal, we are only going to try to describe some of them. Use them, one at a time or several at a time and add those that you think may be useful depending on the area where you dive.
Anchor rope: If you start the dive from a boat, pay attention to the color and thickness of the rope during the descent. Observe the length of the chain section and the type of anchor, as well as the type of bottom where it has fallen and the depth. This is usually very helpful, in certain areas heavily traveled by divers, so as not to end up on another boat. It is also useful to observe the shape of our boat's hull underwater.
External light: the movement of the sun is slow and can be taken perfectly as a reference before starting diving . To return to the starting point we must take the opposite direction of the starting solar reference (for example: sun behind us, sun in front). In night diving, lights from boats, hotels, etc., and also the moon can serve as a reference, although this planet changes its trajectory quickly.
Currents: are translational movements of water, generally in one direction. We will always start the immersion against you and return in your favor.
Sounds: although because they are transmitted faster than in the air, it is difficult to know their direction, they can help us, generally when we approach the coast.
Fauna and flora: They are normally indicative of a certain depth and a direction that can vary depending on the point where you dive. For example, on the Costa Brava we only find colored gorgonians in the walls facing north.
A tip for each type of dive
Depending on the type of bottom chosen, we will use a different diving system so that it is easy for us to reach the way back. Below we are going to describe a series of systems that will make a problem-free return possible.
If you dive in sandy bottoms, you will notice that at shallow depths a series of lines form in the sand whose trajectory runs parallel to the coast. If we cut them perpendicularly we will be moving towards the open sea or returning to the coast, if we follow their direction we will be moving parallel to the coast. A reading on the depth gauge and observing the waves that we leave in our wake will be very effective in knowing where we are. You must keep in mind that after a certain depth of meters these waves disappear, leaving a completely smooth bottom that makes the use of the compass essential. If we get closer to the shore, they are increasingly closer to each other. In the opposite case they distance themselves.
If you dive on cliff walls, start the dive at the deepest part, leaving the aforementioned wall on the left/right side. When you decide to return, you only have to take care that the wall is located on the opposite side (opposite shoulder) of the way, and gradually ascend in depth as you go along the wall.
If you dive on rocky bottoms without a certain configuration, observe small details such as elements foreign to the seabed (cans, bottles), their position and depth.
When passing by a rock, coral, mound, etc.; turn around and see how you will see the bottom and the rocks (the other side of them) on the way back. Take note of areas of significant flora and fauna, they can help you find your way back. Remember all these details.
If you dive in the "blue" in search of pelagic fish or just to experience the pleasure of "flying" through the waters, it will be very difficult for you to orient yourself, you will only be able to help yourself with sunlight, bubbles, and the compass.
If you are a lover of night diving, you should think that your vision is reduced to the range of the spotlights, and it is very unlikely that you will be able to orient yourself with the natural systems, unless you considerably reduce the distance of your night walk.
Plan your routes before you start diving, and initially choose the ones that seem easiest to you. Get over yourself walls facing north.
A tip for each type of dive
Depending on the type of bottom chosen, we will use a different diving system so that it is easy for us to reach the way back. Below we are going to describe a series of systems that will make a problem-free return possible.
If you dive in sandy bottoms, you will notice that at shallow depths a series of lines form in the sand whose trajectory runs parallel to the coast. If we cut them perpendicularly we will be moving towards the open sea or returning to the coast, if we follow their direction we will be moving parallel to the coast. A reading on the depth gauge and observing the waves that we leave in our wake will be very effective in knowing where we are. You must keep in mind that after a certain depth of meters these waves disappear, leaving a completely smooth bottom that makes the use of the compass essential. If we get closer to the shore, they are increasingly closer to each other. In the opposite case they distance themselves.
If you dive on cliff walls, start the dive at the deepest part, leaving the aforementioned wall on the left/right side. When you decide to return, you only have to take care that the wall is located on the opposite side (opposite shoulder) of the way, and gradually ascend in depth as you go along the wall.
If you dive on rocky bottoms without a certain configuration, observe small details such as elements foreign to the seabed (cans, bottles), their position and depth.
When passing by a rock, coral, mound, etc.; turn around and see how you will see the bottom and the rocks (the other side of them) on the way back. Take note of areas of significant flora and fauna, they can help you find your way back. Remember all these details.
If you dive in the "blue" in search of pelagic fish or just to experience the pleasure of "flying" through the waters, it will be very difficult for you to orient yourself, you will only be able to help yourself with sunlight, bubbles, and the compass.
If you are a lover of night diving, you should think that your vision is reduced to the range of the spotlights, and it is very unlikely that you will be able to orient yourself with the natural systems, unless you considerably reduce the distance of your night walk.
Plan your routes before you start diving, and initially choose the ones that seem easiest to you. Get over yourself
