PADI Underwater Navigator Diver Specialty Course

There is no easier place to get lost than in the underwater environment. Not only does a diver have to concentrate on factors such as safety, buoyancy, time, depth, air and of course their buddy, they also have to contend with a 3D world, poor visibility, untraceable sounds and currents. If that's not difficult enough, there are no maps to follow and the terrain, with a few exceptions, is random, irregular and unpredictable.

That said, there are a number of techniques that can greatly improve the chances of successfully navigating underwater. Practice is essential so take every opportunity to try out navigational exercises.

Be the diver everyone wants to follow and make your sense of direction legendary with the PADI Underwater Navigator Specialty course. When everyone’s buzzing about a reef or checking out a wreck, they’re having a great time – until it’s time to go. Then they turn to you, because as a PADI Underwater Navigator, you know the way back to the boat.

Underwater navigation can be challenging, but in the PADI 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 to estimate distance underwater, follow navigation patterns and know where you are while following an arbitrary, irregular course using the Nav-Finder.

This course is designed to be an introduction to underwater navigation and to help the student diver develop the skills and knowledge necessary for use in underwater navigation.

Pre-requisite

To qualify for the PADI Underwater Navigator Diver Specialty course, an individual must:

1. Must be a PADI Open Water Diver or Junior Open Water Diver (or qualifying certification from another organization)
   
   
2. Be 10 years of age or older.

Orpheus Dive is the only dive centre in Singapore that organizes the Master Scuba Diver Challenge program. Every year, two divers will stand a chance to win a free trip to top destinations such as Similans Islands, Sipada and Manado to hone their newly acquired skills.

And if that is not enough, divers who sign up for the Master Scuba Diver Challenge program earn themselves the unique and 'NOT FOR SALE' Master Scuba Diver T-Shirt and Cap.

The purpose of the PADI Underwater Navigator Specialty course is to familiarize divers with the skills, knowledge, planning, organization, procedures, techniques, problems, hazards and enjoyment of underwater navigation. Training should emphasize fun and safety. To conduct an Underwater Navigator course, the following is to be included:

1. The planning, organization, procedures, techniques, problems and hazards of underwater navigation.
   
2. Methods of estimating distances underwater.
   
3. Natural navigation techniques.
   
4. Using underwater patterns.
   
5. Dive site relocation techniques.
   
6. Compass navigation techniques.

The recommended training schedule for this course commences with a 3 hour theory lesson conducted in Orpheus Dive, followed by 2 open water dives over a weekend.

Dive 1

• Maintain neutral buoyancy during the dive.
  
• Determine the average number of kick cycles AND average amount of time required to cover a distance of approximately 30 metres/100 feet while swimming underwater at a normal, relaxed pace.
  
• Navigate (surfacing only if necessary to verify direction or location) to a predetermined location and return to within 15 metres/50 feet of the starting point using natural references and estimated distance measurement (kick cycles or time).
  
• Demonstrate the correct positioning and handling of a compass needed to maintain an accurate heading while swimming underwater.
  
• Navigate (without surfacing) to a predetermined location and return to within 6 metres/20 feet of the starting point using a compass and estimated distance measurement (kick cycles or time).
  
• Swim a square pattern underwater, returning to within 8 metres/25 feet of the starting point using a compass and beginning from a fixed location. Recommended size of square — each side 30 metres/100 feet, or total combined length of approximately 120 metres/400 feet.

Dive 2

• Demonstrate the correct compass positioning and handling needed to maintain an accurate heading while swimming underwater.
  
• Navigate a predetermined course (provided by the instructor prior to the dive) with more than five compass turns, returning to the starting point within 15 meters/50 feet of the exit, without surfacing.
  
• Fix a specific underwater location to be relocated on a future dive, using two permanent sets of landmarks with an angle of at least 60° between them, or using a compass bearing.

Dive 3

• Demonstrate the correct compass positioning and handling needed to maintain an accurate heading while swimming under water.
  
• Navigate a compass course underwater when new course headings (five or more ) are provided on underwater markers.
  
• Draw a map of the underwater area covered by the course conducted during the dive.

Coming Soon