What is the best practice for maintaining visibility during a dive?

Maintaining visibility during a dive is crucial for safety and enjoyment, and staying streamlined while avoiding sediment disturbance is the best practice. When divers remain streamlined, they minimize their physical efforts and movements, which helps reduce drag in the water. This streamlined position allows divers to move gracefully through the water, further preventing unnecessary turbulence.

By avoiding sediment disturbance, divers help to keep the water clear. Many underwater environments, particularly those with sandy or silty bottoms, can become murky if sediment is stirred up. This can happen when divers kick up their fins or make sudden movements. Therefore, a smooth, composed approach not only preserves visibility for the diver but also contributes to the overall underwater ecosystem.

In contrast, while flashing a flashlight might enhance visibility in dark conditions, it does not address the clearer environments where sediment can become an issue. Floating quietly may help in some situations, but it does not actively maintain visibility; movement—when done correctly—can be beneficial if controlled. Waving arms to create a current would likely lead to increased sediment disturbance, which diminishes visibility rather than maintaining it.