Equipment Knowledge & Maintenance 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 Equipment Knowledge & Maintenance flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of a dive computer's ceiling display during a decompression dive?
Answer: Show the shallowest depth you may safely ascend to
The ceiling shown on a dive computer is the shallowest depth a diver can safely ascend to without risking decompression sickness.
When should a BCD power inflator hose be inspected for internal corrosion?
Answer: During every annual service or whenever salt crystallization is visible on fittings
Salt crystal buildup on inflator fittings signals potential internal corrosion, and the hose should be inspected during every annual service.
What happens to a wetsuit's thermal insulation as a diver descends deeper?
Answer: Insulation decreases because neoprene compresses under pressure
Neoprene neoprene cells compress under increasing water pressure, reducing the suit's thickness and its thermal protection.
A regulator second stage that constantly frees flows underwater most likely has which problem?
Answer: A damaged or improperly seated demand valve or exhaust valve
Continuous free-flow from a second stage typically indicates a faulty demand valve or exhaust valve that is not sealing properly.
What material are most modern scuba cylinder valve seats made from, and why?
Answer: Nylon or PEEK polymer, because they resist corrosion and provide a reliable gas-tight seal
Nylon or PEEK seats are used because they are corrosion-resistant and form an effective gas-tight seal with the valve pin.
When filling a scuba cylinder, why is a slow fill rate preferred over a rapid fill?
Answer: Rapid filling causes heat buildup that temporarily raises pressure, resulting in under-fill when the tank cools
Fast fills heat the gas, which expands and shows a higher pressure reading; when the gas cools the actual fill is lower than intended.
Which feature distinguishes a balanced regulator first stage from an unbalanced one?
Answer: Breathing effort remains constant regardless of tank pressure or depth
A balanced first stage maintains consistent intermediate pressure regardless of changes in supply pressure or ambient depth, keeping breathing effort steady.