What is one way divers can increase their situational awareness underwater?

Constantly scanning their surroundings is a crucial technique for enhancing situational awareness underwater. This practice allows divers to stay informed about their environment, including potential hazards, the location of fellow divers, and interesting marine life. It helps divers to maintain a good understanding of their surroundings throughout the dive, facilitating better decision-making and safety.

Engaging in continuous scanning involves not just looking ahead, but also checking above, below, and to the sides. This comprehensive awareness can help prevent accidents and enhances the overall diving experience, allowing divers to enjoy the scenery and wildlife while remaining aware of potential threats, such as strong currents or other divers.

In contrast, focusing solely on dive buddies limits awareness to that specific area and shows a lack of attention to other possibly important factors in the dive environment. Descending quickly may increase the risk of negative effects such as nitrogen narcosis or decompression sickness, and limiting interactions with marine life may take away from the enjoyment and educational aspect of diving.