What is the best approach for rescuing a diver caught in a current?

Swimming diagonally upstream is the best approach for rescuing a diver caught in a current because it utilizes the natural flow of the water to your advantage while minimizing the risk of being swept away yourself. By moving diagonally, you can maintain a position closer to the distressed diver and gradually work your way toward them. This method reduces the impact of the current on your own movements, allowing you to control your position better while attempting the rescue.

In contrast, swimming directly downstream would likely lead you further away from the diver and could make the rescue much more challenging, as you would be moving in the same direction as the current. Waiting and signaling for help might not be effective in a situation where immediate action is needed, as the current could continue to carry the distressed diver away. Offering your equipment could also be problematic, as it may not provide the necessary support or control needed for a proper rescue, and you could risk losing your own safety in the process.