What is one key orientation technique for night diving?

Using available light sources and landmarks to establish a mental map of your environment is a crucial orientation technique for night diving. In low visibility conditions, especially at night, effective navigation becomes more challenging, making it essential to rely on identifiable features and lighting to understand your surroundings. Creating a mental picture of the area helps divers recognize where they are, enhances situational awareness, and aids in safe navigation. This technique allows divers to maintain orientation, avoid disorientation, and return to the entry point or follow their planned dive path accurately.

In contrast, blindly following a buddy or assuming the current will guide movement can lead to potential navigational errors. These approaches may not take into account the unique visibility challenges presented by night diving. Monitoring the bottom can also be misleading, especially if the terrain is unfamiliar or if visibility is significantly impaired; it may not provide an accurate reference for navigation.