What effect can strong currents have on diving?

Strong currents can indeed pose a significant risk to diver safety due to several factors. When divers are caught in powerful currents, they may struggle to maintain their position, making it challenging to conduct their activities safely. This can lead to increased air consumption as divers work harder to swim against the current, thereby raising the risk of running low on air and needing to ascend sooner than planned.

Additionally, strong currents can create a physical hazard by sweeping divers away from their intended site or even toward dangerous areas like rocky outcrops or surface hazards. There is also the potential for disorientation, making it difficult for divers to navigate back to their boat or entry point. This heightens the importance of proper planning, understanding of local conditions, and having the necessary training to deal with such situations effectively.

In contrast, while strong currents might clear sediment and potentially enhance underwater visibility in certain scenarios, they generally pose more risks than benefits to divers. They do not affect buoyancy directly nor do they serve as a reliable factor in photographing marine life, as diver safety must be the utmost priority when considering conditions for any underwater activities.