Underwater orienteering

Underwater orienteering is a competitive sport which combines the physical challenge of scuba diving and the mental challenge of orienteering. The sport requires participants to navigate an underwater course using a compass and a simple map, while also managing their air supply and dealing with the physical and psychological challenges of the underwater environment.

History

Underwater orienteering originated in Europe in the 1960s as a training exercise for military divers. It was later adopted by civilian diving clubs and eventually evolved into a competitive sport. The first official underwater orienteering competition was held in Germany in 1973.

Competition

In an underwater orienteering competition, teams of two divers are given a map of an underwater course marked with control points. The divers must navigate the course using only their compass and the map, and must surface at each control point to mark their progress. The team that completes the course in the shortest time is the winner.

Equipment

The basic equipment for underwater orienteering includes a scuba set, a compass, and a map of the course. Some divers also use a dive computer to monitor their depth and air supply. The map is usually made of waterproof material and is attached to the diver's arm for easy reference.

Training

Training for underwater orienteering involves both physical conditioning and skills development. Divers must be in good physical condition to handle the physical demands of scuba diving, and must also be proficient in navigation and map reading. Training exercises often involve navigating a course on land before attempting it underwater.

See also

• Orienteering
• Scuba diving
• Underwater sports

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