What is the purpose of using a safety buoy during a wreck dive?

The use of a safety buoy during a wreck dive primarily serves to mark the entry and exit point for the dive. This is crucial for divers, as it provides a visual reference point for where the dive begins and where they should return upon completion. Marking these points enhances safety, helping divers maintain awareness of their location in relation to the surface and the wreck site, especially in visibility-limited conditions.

Utilizing a buoy in this manner allows divers to easily return to their ascent point, ensuring they can safely conduct their planned ascent and avoid potential hazards. This practice is particularly beneficial in areas with strong currents or where the terrain may obscure visibility, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact start location of the dive.

Other options, while relevant to diving safety and procedure, do not align specifically with the primary function of a safety buoy during a wreck dive. For instance, signaling for assistance is important in emergencies but is not the main purpose of deploying a safety buoy. Navigation underwater can be aided by various methods and tools, and while it could be a secondary benefit of having a buoy in the water, that is not its primary objective. Storing extra equipment during a dive is not typically the role of a safety buoy, which is specifically designed for marking and safety