What is particularly important for divers at night due to the increased likelihood of disorientation?

Good navigation skills are essential for divers at night because visibility is significantly reduced, increasing the risk of disorientation. When diving in the dark, familiar landmarks are not visible, making it easy for divers to become lost or confused about their location. Effective navigation skills involve understanding how to use various tools and techniques, such as compasses and underwater landmarks, to maintain orientation and ensure a safe return to the entry point.

While proper breathing techniques, bright gear, and having a dive buddy can enhance overall safety during a dive, they do not specifically address the critical challenge of orientation that divers face in low visibility during nighttime dives. Having a dive buddy provides an additional layer of support and safety, but without good navigation skills, a diver could still become disoriented. Bright gear can help with visibility to others but does little to help a diver know where they are going or how to find their way back. Thus, navigation skills hold particular importance in preventing disorientation during nighttime dives.