I've been unable to log on/search/read new messages/post under that name...have no idea why), a few more points. Make sure you have the compass either directly in front of you (to read through the side window) OR directly below your face (to read from the top)....I see a lot of divers hold it out about 1/2 way, which causes them to slightly tilt the compass to read it....and if you tilt it too much, the needle will "stick" and you're not getting an accurate reading.
A few people said to take a reading/bearing whatever on an object and go to that, repeat, etc. I agree, and here are 2 quick reasons why 1) you can look for interesting things...octopus, shrimp, whatever...along the way, instead of just the front of the compass and 2) it TENDS to negate the effect of a crossing current. For example, if you use a compass and go 180 degrees, but there's a current from right to left, your "true" bearing might end up at 200, 210 etc. If you aim at something that doesn't move with the current (a rock, tall coral mound, Jimmy Hoffa) you tend to go more closely to your true bearing.
Another tip is if you have a buddy or group...especially in so-so visibility & you're heading towards a small target (such as an anchor line.) I even do this with my customers sometime in the (as PADI would say) unlikely event that I have trouble hitting the descent line on post-typhoon diving in poor vis. In this case, I have the divers spread out a bit horizontally, with me in the middle, and the rest of the divers forming an underwater "wing" like a big manta....by having divers to the left & to the right of me as we head out towards the descent line, it helps you defeat the poor visibilty problem by having extra eyes on both sides.
Also, if you're heading for a boat and the visibility allows it, remember to look up once in a while...sometimes divers will miss the anchor line, but will swim directly UNDER the boat, but never think to look up, and end up burrowing into the beach instead.
