What equipment is essential for underwater navigation?

In underwater navigation, having a compass and navigation training is essential because these tools and knowledge allow divers to determine their direction and orientation while exploring underwater environments. A compass helps divers to maintain a specific heading, which is crucial when visibility is low, or when the underwater landscape lacks distinctive features. Navigation training equips divers with the skills to interpret compass readings, plan routes, and execute safe and efficient dives, ensuring they can navigate back to their entry point or specific dive sites without getting lost.

While GPS devices can be useful in certain situations, they are not reliable underwater due to limited satellite signals. A depth gauge is important for monitoring depth during dives, and a dive computer is invaluable for tracking dive time and managing nitrogen levels, but neither specifically aids in navigation in the same way that a compass and navigational knowledge do. Therefore, having both a compass and the associated training is fundamental for effective underwater navigation.