PADI Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield PADI facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which of the following best describes a key competency required for instructor development & teaching in PADI practice? → Strong analytical skills combined with effective communication and ethical judgment
2. Which gas law explains why a full scuba tank will show a lower pressure reading on a cold day compared to a warm day? → Charles's Law
3. What is the first step in assisting a distressed diver? → Approach calmly and assess
4. In the context of PADI certification, what is the most important consideration when implementing night & limited visibility diving? → Ensuring alignment with established standards, stakeholder needs, and best practices
5. What is the purpose of underwater navigation skills? → Navigate safely underwater
6. What is the role of a pressure gauge? → Monitor air pressure
7. Where should a diver position themselves relative to a heavy object being raised with a lift bag? → To the side and slightly below the object
8. When using the PADI RDP for a repetitive dive, what is Total Bottom Time (TBT)? → Residual Nitrogen Time plus Actual Bottom Time
9. What is the best practice after surfacing a rescued diver? → Remove equipment carefully and monitor
10. In the context of PADI certification, what is the most important consideration when implementing divemaster leadership & supervision? → Ensuring alignment with established standards, stakeholder needs, and best practices
11. What is the primary advantage of using a dive computer over the RDP tables for dive planning? → Dive computers calculate multi-level profiles in real time, extending bottom time safely
12. In the context of PADI certification, what is the most important consideration when implementing photography & videography underwater? → Ensuring alignment with established standards, stakeholder needs, and best practices
13. What is the purpose of the 'safety stop' recommended by PADI during ascent? → To reduce residual nitrogen and lower DCS risk
14. What should a diver do if they experience equipment failure underwater? → Signal buddy and ascend safely
15. What should a diver do if they become disoriented underwater? → Stop and use navigation methods
16. How do currents affect underwater navigation? → Alter path, need compensation
17. What is the recommended rescue technique for an unresponsive diver at the surface? → Controlled tow and emergency response
18. What is the 'rule of thirds' commonly applied to gas planning in recreational diving? → Use one-third of air going out, one-third returning, reserve one-third for emergencies
19. What should a diver do if a lift bag begins ascending faster than anticipated during a recovery operation? → Release the line immediately and clear away from the object's path
20. Why should divers avoid breath-holding during ascent according to PADI training? → Expanding air in the lungs can cause lung overexpansion injury (arterial gas embolism)
21. What is the purpose of the 'S-drill' (Save-a-dive Kit check / pre-dive safety check) taught in PADI courses? → To verify all equipment is functioning correctly before entering the water
22. What is the purpose of a 'spider' or 'octopus' rigging system in search and recovery? → Multiple attachment lines from one lift bag to balance and level a large object
23. Which condition would cause a diver to automatically start at pressure group Z on the RDP? → No conditions — Z is the maximum limit and requires a long surface interval
24. According to the PADI RDP, what happens if a diver exceeds the no-decompression limit (NDL)? → The dive becomes a decompression dive requiring a mandatory stop
25. Why is maintaining buoyancy important during a rescue? → Prevent uncontrolled sinking
26. According to PADI guidelines, at what tank pressure should a recreational diver typically signal 'turn the dive'? → 1,000 psi (approximately 70 bar)
27. What is the purpose of a surface marker buoy (SMB)? → Signal diver’s surface position
28. When planning a repetitive dive using the RDP, what must a diver calculate before determining the new no-decompression limit? → Residual Nitrogen Time (RNT)
29. What is the PADI-recommended primary method for inflating an open-bottom lift bag underwater? → Direct air from the second stage regulator into the bag's open bottom
30. How should lift bag capacity be matched to the object being recovered? → The lift bag capacity should closely match the object's submerged weight