Underwater Navigator

The Underwater Navigator Course
Be the diver everyone wants to follow and make your sense of direction legendary with the Underwater Navigator Specialty course.

The Fun Part
Finding your way is not a matter of luck! When everyone’s buzzing about a reef or checking out a shipwreck, they’re having a great time – until it’s time to go. Then they turn to you, because as an Underwater Navigator, you know the way back to the boat.

What You Learn
Underwater navigation can be challenging, but in the Underwater Navigator Specialty course, you master the challenge. You learn the tools of the trade, including navigation via natural clues and by compass.

You learn

Navigation patterns
Natural navigation (without a compass)
Compass navigation
How to “mark” or relocate a submerged object or position from the surface
Underwater map making
How to follow irregular courses with the Nav-Finder
Dive site relocation
How to estimate distance underwater
The Scuba Gear You Use
You will use the basic scuba diving equipment, some scuba accessories such as a dive slate and an underwater compass.

The Learning Materials You Need
Accurate navigation is based on thoughtful preparation. With that in mind: The Navigation crewpak includes everything needed to complete the Underwater Navigation specialty. The manual and DVD preview the navigation skills you’ll practice with your instructor both on land and underwater. Use the Nav-Finder to track where you’ve been and chart the most direct route back to the boat or shore.

Prerequisites
You must be:

An SSI Open Water Diver or Junior Open Water Diver (or qualifying certification from another organization)
At least 10 years old

Your Next Adventure
Underwater navigation is an important skill no matter what type of scuba diving you’re doing. It’s especially useful when night diving, wreck diving or when you’re searching to recover a lost item underwater.