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. A freediver who hyperventilates before a breath-hold dive risks: → Shallow-water blackout due to hypoxia
2. To achieve neutral buoyancy, a diver adds or removes air from their Buoyancy Compensator (BC). This action directly applies which physical principle? → Archimedes' Principle
3. Carbon dioxide buildup (hypercapnia) in a diver most commonly results from: → Breathing too slowly or skip breathing
4. A diver becomes unresponsive underwater while you are with them. What should you do FIRST? → Establish buoyancy and ascend with them
5. During a rescue, you notice a diver floating face-down and unresponsive. After rolling them face-up, what is your FIRST assessment? → Check for breathing
6. What is the function of the low-pressure port on a regulator first stage? → To supply reduced pressure air to the BCD inflator and second stage
7. Which medical condition is an absolute contraindication to scuba diving? → Spontaneous pneumothorax history without surgical correction
8. When using the PADI Recreational Dive Planner (RDP), what does the 'pressure group' letter indicate? → The amount of residual nitrogen in a diver's tissues
9. A diver at 18 meters signals distress and begins an uncontrolled ascent. As the rescue diver nearby, what is your FIRST action? → Follow at a safe distance and monitor, preparing to assist at the surface
10. Sound travels underwater approximately how much faster than in air? → 4 times faster
11. Which of the following is NOT a standard PADI Open Water confined water skill? → Decompression stop at 5 meters
12. Why is 100% oxygen administered to a suspected decompression illness victim? → It reduces nitrogen bubble size by increasing the diffusion gradient
13. A diver in your group surfaces and immediately shows signs of arterial gas embolism (AGE). What is the Divemaster's immediate priority? → Administer 100% oxygen and arrange immediate evacuation to a recompression facility
14. A diver using enriched air nitrox must calculate the maximum operating depth (MOD) to avoid: → CNS oxygen toxicity
15. Why is it important to add air to the BCD in small bursts rather than large continuous inflations? → To prevent sudden, rapid buoyancy changes that are difficult to control
16. What condition occurs when nitrogen bubbles form in the tissues and bloodstream upon ascent? → Decompression sickness
17. Which factor does NOT affect the rate of nitrogen absorption in a diver's tissues according to diving physics? → The color of the diver's wetsuit
18. What is the minimum number of logged dives required to complete the PADI Divemaster certification? → 60 dives
19. What is the primary hazard of diving in areas with kelp forests? → Kelp can entangle divers and restrict movement
20. A diver performing a weight check at the surface should be holding a normal breath with an empty BCD. What is the correct result indicating proper weighting? → Floating at eye level, sinking slowly upon exhaling
21. What does it mean when a regulator is described as 'environmentally sealed'? → Internal parts are protected from freezing water or contaminants
22. Which aquatic environment type is characterized by brackish water where rivers meet the sea? → Estuary
23. A diver finds that the BCD dumps air too slowly through the right shoulder dump valve. What is the most likely issue? → The dump valve pull cord is disconnected or the valve is stuck
24. The main ocean currents move clockwise in the ______________ hemisphere and counterclockwise in the _____________ hemisphere. → Northern and Southern
25. In confined water training, why is it important for students to practice weight removal and replacement underwater? → To prepare for situations where weights may need to be ditched or adjusted during a dive
26. When organizing a dive for a mixed-experience group, how should the dive plan accommodate novice divers? → Plan depth, bottom time, and conditions to the limits of the least experienced diver
27. A diver notices the submersible pressure gauge reads full even after several minutes of breathing. What is the most likely cause? → The SPG hose is kinked or the gauge is faulty
28. Under PADI General Standards, what is required when conducting training in challenging environments such as cold water or limited visibility? → Instructors must adapt their supervision and may apply more conservative standards
29. What is the minimum recommended oxygen flow rate when using a demand valve for a breathing DCI victim? → As demanded by the patient's breath
30. Which PADI specialty teaches proper techniques for diving in freshwater caves and overhead environments up to a defined limit? → PADI Cavern Diver