What is the recommended distance to hold the line while following it?

Maintaining an arm's length distance while following a line is recommended for several important reasons. First, this distance allows for better visibility and movement. It enables you to see the line clearly while still having enough room to maneuver without getting tangled. Keeping the line at this distance also helps in maintaining awareness of your surroundings, ensuring you avoid obstacles or hazards in the water that could pose a risk.

Additionally, this spacing provides a level of comfort and control. When you are too close to the line, any sudden movements or changes in direction can result in the line pulling on you, which can affect your buoyancy or trim negatively. An arm's length away gives you just enough space to react to the environment while remaining connected to the navigation reference.

In contrast, holding the line too far away may lead to difficulties in maintaining contact with it, increasing the risk of losing your way, especially in areas that may have low visibility or complicated terrain. This makes the practice of keeping the line at an arm's length not only a safety measure but also a component of effective navigation while wreck diving.