How can divers maintain awareness of their surroundings?

Maintaining awareness of surroundings is crucial for divers to ensure safety and effective navigation underwater. Being familiar with the dive site allows divers to recognize landmarks, understand the layout, and anticipate any potential hazards they may encounter. This knowledge helps divers monitor their position, stay oriented, and recognize changes in conditions, such as currents or visibility, enhancing their overall situational awareness.

Other options may not effectively support maintaining awareness. For example, chatting with other divers may distract from the environment and conditions around. Frequently looking at watches may help with time management but does not provide information about the underwater surroundings, and closing one’s eyes contradicts the need for visual awareness, making it an ineffective practice for maintaining situational awareness underwater.