Emergency Procedures & Rescue Techniques Flashcards
7 cards from real PADI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Emergency Procedures & Rescue Techniques flashcards as text
A diver complains of a ringing in the ears and mild vertigo after a rapid ascent. What condition should you suspect?
Answer: Inner ear DCS or inner ear barotrauma
Tinnitus and vertigo following rapid ascent suggest inner ear decompression sickness or inner ear barotrauma, both requiring immediate evaluation.
Which rescue skill involves approaching a distressed but conscious diver from behind to prevent being grabbed?
Answer: Rear approach
Approaching from behind keeps the rescuer out of the panicking diver's reach while still allowing control of the situation.
What does the acronym STOP stand for in PADI's distress recognition response?
Answer: Stop, Think, Observe, Plan
STOP (Stop, Think, Observe, Plan) is a decision-making tool used by rescuers to avoid rushing into a rescue without assessing the situation.
A scuba diver surfaces unconscious and is not breathing. After establishing buoyancy, what is your next priority?
Answer: Begin rescue breathing while towing toward the boat
For an apneic, unresponsive diver, you should start in-water rescue breathing immediately while moving toward exit, since oxygen deprivation is the critical threat.
What is the primary reason divers are taught to carry a surface marker buoy (SMB) as an emergency tool?
Answer: To signal their location to surface support and passing vessels
An SMB alerts surface support and boat traffic to a diver's position, which is critical during an emergency or drift situation.
A fellow diver has a seizure underwater due to CNS oxygen toxicity. What is the correct immediate action?
Answer: Maintain the diver's depth and protect them, then ascend once the seizure ends
Ascending during an active seizure risks AGE because the diver cannot exhale; hold them at depth, secure the regulator, and ascend once the seizure stops.
When is it appropriate to remove a diver's weight belt during a surface rescue?
Answer: Only after ensuring buoyancy is established and airway is open
Buoyancy and airway control come first; the weight belt can be removed once the diver is stable to improve natural buoyancy.