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Underwater Navigation & Skills Flashcards

7 cards from real PADI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Underwater Navigation & Skills flashcards as text

  1. When using a compass underwater, what does 'reciprocal heading' mean?

    Answer: The heading directly opposite your current bearing (180° away)

    A reciprocal heading is exactly 180° opposite your outbound bearing, used to return to your starting point.

  2. You're navigating a square pattern and need to make four 90-degree turns. After your first right turn, which direction should your second turn be?

    Answer: Right again

    A square pattern requires four consecutive 90-degree turns in the same direction (all right or all left) to complete the square.

  3. What is the primary limitation of a magnetic compass when diving near certain underwater structures?

    Answer: Metal objects and iron-rich rock can cause magnetic deviation

    Ferrous metal structures such as shipwrecks or iron-rich volcanic rock can deflect a compass needle, causing inaccurate readings.

  4. During an underwater navigation exercise, your kick cycle count suggests you've traveled 30 meters, but your compass shows you've been swimming with current assistance. What should you do?

    Answer: Adjust your estimated distance to account for the current's added push

    Current assistance means you cover more distance per kick cycle, so your actual distance traveled is greater than the kick-count alone suggests.

  5. Which natural navigation cue is MOST reliable for maintaining a consistent heading in open water with good visibility?

    Answer: Sun position and shadow patterns on the bottom

    Sun angle and shadow patterns on the sandy bottom provide a consistent, broad reference for maintaining direction in clear, shallow water.

  6. A diver wants to search a rectangular area using a lawn-mower pattern. What determines the width of each search lane?

    Answer: The visibility distance, so adjacent lanes overlap slightly

    Lane width in a lawnmower pattern is based on visibility range, with slight overlap to ensure no area is missed.

  7. What does it mean if your compass lubber line is not aligned with your body when navigating?

    Answer: You will swim at an angle to your intended heading, causing course error

    The lubber line must point in your direction of travel; misalignment means you follow a different heading than the compass indicates.