Geographical Orientation Under Water

Abstract

Divers were tested on three aspects of geographical orientation on land and under water. (1) They traveled blindfold around two sides of a triangle and then attempted to return without guidance to the starting post. On land, subjects walked in a straight line for about the right distance, but tended to turn outside the triangle. Under water, they tended to follow an irregular path, to swim too far, and to turn farther outside the triangle. (2) They attempted to travel various estimated distances. Novices tended to swim too far under water and to show high variability. More experienced divers usually swam for the correct distance. Estimates on land were fairly accurate for all subjects. (3) They attempted to walk or swim blindfolded in a complete circle or part of a circle. They traveled too far on land, and too short under water. Errors were not a simple function of the angle turned, but increased with the radius of the circle.