Can't figure out using a compass

[Andicat Dives]

I am working on my Advanced certification and can't "master" using a compass. On the surface I can make one leg of my triangle or square on the first try but that is it. I get frustrated because I can't have a hard time keeping on course... I understand the basic concept of look at an object, find the heading and swim following that heading. The "stupid" compass just doesn't co-operate or the buoy.... Any suggestions are appreciated.

[Vercingetorix]

Areyou holding the comass absolutely level? If not, it won't rotate and will throw you off. Is your compass on your console, wrist,or free? If it's on the console bottom,then you're probabl;y flipping it back and forth to read the compass, then back over to read the computer and back again. This threw me off in AOW. The instructor handed me a compass and, because I could hold it level at all times, I hit all my marks.

[Subaqua]

When I did my AOW, the DM told us to stop often to make sure that we were still in the right direction. I don't know what compass you use, but if you don't keep it horizontal, it'll block and when you're so concentrated, you won't notice it. Me and my body made a pause about every 10 feet, maybe less. Maybe it's too much, but the visibility was lbetween 2-5 feet that day and we did not want to miss it. We did the square and the triangle perfectly while the other teams that just took their heading and start swimming without stropping did not have good results.
Try it that way. You'll see, it's quite fun.
Good luck!

[cjslandman]

One problem I see a lot is that people get lazy and drift from one side of the mark to the other... being off a couple of degrees over 100 feet may take you 5-10 feet left or right of your target... Also I have learned to play games during surface intervals... If my target is 0 degrees... when I get there, what will be the heading to come straight back? You can do this all around the dial... Also remember it is important to make sure you are oriented N when you start...

My o2 worth

[coralcrazed]

are you holding the compass on your wrist? try holding onto your other elbowand do like superman does. Both hands forward. Hold it steady and swim forward along the lubber line. the key is stayin on course. your accuracy depends on it. It helps if you are nice and nuetrally boyant before you begin. hope that helps.

[ertechsg]

Just follow the DM

[diverdad]

I believe every one gave pretty good advice. What i did was practice out of the water.

[ReefHound]

Rather than look down on the compass face I prefer to hold it out in front of me and look through the side window.

To verify the compass isn't locked from tilt, periodically turn it side to side to make sure the needle doesn't move with the whole unit. Do that rather than stopping since stopping will interrupt your kick cycles. To run a pattern AND return to origin requires you to not only get the bearings correct but also get the leg distances correct.

[crpntr133]

This is one reason why I bought an Suunto SK-7. Had very little trouble with a compass but it was usually because of the tilt. With the SK-7 you really have to get crazy with it to lock it.

[Bring the Payne]

I had the same problem in my AOW class. We had to swim certain patterns between 15 and 30 ft. looking for these blocks. It was extremely hard to stay on course since I had to look at my wrist computer and focus on the compass at the same time. Just keep practicing...you will get it.