The bottom topography can be understood with the help of dive site maps. They can also assist a dive leader in acquainting their group with a new dive site. SSI Dive Master candidates chart an open water dive site in buddy teams during this simulation. They have to produce a top-notch map that displays the underwater relief and other significant elements.
Mapping a site is one of the most crucial abilities for a divemaster. This contributes to divers' safety and enhances their diving experiences. A detailed grasp of the site and its unique characteristics is necessary to create a dive map.
This procedure starts with a site inspection, during which important landmarks, features, and places are noted. Next, have your crew mark these areas with a dSMB or marker during each recon dive.
This serves as a point of reference for upcoming dives and aids in locating landmarks. It also aids in creating guidelines that the group can follow. To track how many kick cycles it takes to go from one landmark to another, for instance, you can use a marker. Later on, this can be changed to meters. When creating a spreadsheet for a dive log, this data can be helpful. It's a fantastic method to update your dive journal for the modern era!
To ensure the security and safety of scuba divers, dive sites must be frequently assessed and charted. For this reason, throughout their internship, divemaster interns will need to put their mapping talents to use.
Google Maps is a really helpful tool for this kind of work; it will give you a scaled and comprehensive representation of the shoreline you need to map, along with compass bearings from different points.
To start calculating the distances between significant landmarks, you first position your buoy and fasten your tape measure using this as a guide. Make sure you do this properly and take care not to damage any marine life. Determine the entrance and exit points to the location and any dangers that should be brought to attention. This will yield a useful and thorough map that can be shown to the divers when they receive their dive briefing. Everyone will have a safer and more enjoyable dive if your map is more precise and comprehensive.
Present your completed draft to your instructor for feedback. Your instructor will offer comments and ideas for future development. Make care to incorporate all noteworthy features, dangers, and depths.
This mapping exercise helps you plan and execute safe, pleasurable dives by requiring you to have a thorough understanding of a dive site. Additionally, it improves your ability to remember spatial details after diving, which is useful for guiding divers around a reef or wreck.
For instance, you could make a map that indicates the locations and depths of all the sand channels in a park. This will make it easier for divers to move between the channels and return to the point of ascent. Moreover, landmarks—like recognisable coral formations or objects—can be utilised for navigation. You may even provide precise diving briefings by using your map. For instance, divers can be informed when they dive the region that there is a swim-through at 70 feet.
