Current — What It Is and Why It Matters
A current is the horizontal movement of water caused by tides, wind, temperature differentials, or ocean circulation patterns. Currents can range from negligible to extremely strong and are a critical factor in dive planning. Mild currents can be comfortable for drift diving, while strong currents create serious hazards including diver separation, exhaustion, and inability to return to the exit point.
Dive planning in current involves choosing tide windows, planning entry and exit points, understanding current direction and strength at different depths, and carrying surface marker buoys for drift dives. Dive computers do not measure current, so pre-dive briefings and local knowledge are essential.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I deal with strong current while diving?
Stay low and close to the reef or bottom where current is weaker. Use the terrain for shelter. If you cannot make headway, signal your buddy, deploy your SMB, and ascend safely to be picked up by the boat. Never exhaust yourself fighting current.
What is drift diving?
Drift diving is intentionally using the current to carry you along a reef or wall. The boat follows your surface markers and picks you up wherever you surface. It requires good buoyancy control, an SMB, and a boat crew experienced with drift diving operations. It is one of the most enjoyable types of diving when conditions are right.
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