Underwater Navigation

The SDI (Scuba Diving International) Underwater Navigation course is designed to enhance a diver’s ability to navigate confidently and accurately underwater using natural references and compass techniques. This course builds essential skills such as estimating distances, understanding patterns, returning to specific locations, and navigating in limited visibility. Through a combination of classroom theory and in-water training, divers will gain the tools and experience needed to explore more effectively and safely. Upon completion, students will have increased confidence in their navigation abilities and a deeper understanding of dive planning and orientation.

What you can expect to learn

The SDI Underwater Navigation Diver Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

• The aquatic environment
  • Vision
  • Light
  • Sound
  • Tides
  • Currents
  • Waves
  • Surge
• Natural navigation
  • Bottom contours
  • Depth
  • Amount of light
  • Surge
  • Currents
  • Underwater objects
• Compass
  • Types
  • Analog
  • Digital
  • Features
• Compass use
• Estimating distance underwater
• Kick cycles
• Time

Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:

• Equipment set up
• Dive planning
• Predive checks
• Orientation
• Navigation
• Skills are generally done with more success if practiced on the surface from shore. Using the shore or descent line as a starting/reference point makes keeping track of students easier
• Practice compass use on the surface: out and back, in addition to square and triangle patterns
• Perform square pattern on the bottom
• Perform triangle pattern on the bottom
• Buddy contact
• Equipment disassembly
• Log all dives

Course equipment requirements

• Basic SCUBA Equipment

Course prerequisites

• SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, SDI Junior Open Water Diver, or equivalent
• Minimum age 18, 10 with parental consent