When swimming across a current, what does your compass indicate?

When swimming across a current, the compass indicates your heading. This means it shows the direction you are aiming to swim regardless of the influence of the current on your actual path through the water.

While you may have a specific heading determined by your compass that indicates the direction in which you are trying to maintain your course, the actual direction of travel may be affected by the current, causing you to drift off course.

The compass does not measure distance traveled or the drift angle, which quantifies how much the current has pulled you off your intended path. In navigating while diving, understanding your heading in relation to water movement is crucial for maintaining situational awareness and ensuring safe and effective navigation.