When using a compass, what should be aligned with your body's centerline?

When using a compass, aligning the lubber line with your body's centerline is essential for accurate navigation. The lubber line is a fixed reference line on the compass that indicates the direction you are currently facing. By ensuring that the lubber line aligns with your body’s centerline, you can directly interpret the compass reading and maintain a consistent heading toward your target.

This alignment is particularly crucial in navigation because it allows you to visualize the direction you need to travel and correct any deviations from your intended course. When the lubber line is properly aligned, it simplifies the process of following a particular bearing or heading effectively, ensuring that you stay oriented in the desired direction.

While the compass needle indicates magnetic north, it is the lubber line that provides the direct correlation between your body’s orientation and your navigational goals, making it vital for successful compass use in diving or any outdoor navigation scenario.