PADI Dive Skills 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When performing a controlled emergency swimming ascent (CESA), a diver should do which of the following?
- Hold breath and ascend as fast as possible
- Exhale continuously while ascending at a rate no faster than 18 m/min (60 ft/min) (Correct answer)
- Exhale in short bursts every 3 meters and ascend at any speed
- Inflate the BCD fully before beginning the ascent
Correct answer: Exhale continuously while ascending at a rate no faster than 18 m/min (60 ft/min)
During a CESA, you exhale continuously (making an 'ahhhh' sound) to prevent lung overexpansion while ascending no faster than 18 m/min.
Question 2: Which valve technique stops airflow from a free-flowing regulator while the diver surfaces?
- Fully close the tank valve
- Crack the tank valve slightly open and breathe from the purge button
- Turn the tank valve to the half-open position
- Breathe from the corner of the mouthpiece while keeping it slightly open (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Breathe from the corner of the mouthpiece while keeping it slightly open
Breathing from the corner of the free-flowing regulator's mouthpiece allows air to escape and prevents lung overexpansion during the ascent.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of the pre-dive safety check (BWRAF)?
- To record dive plan information in the dive log
- To verify each diver's equipment is functioning correctly before entering the water (Correct answer)
- To ensure the dive boat is properly anchored
- To calculate the group's surface interval requirement
Correct answer: To verify each diver's equipment is functioning correctly before entering the water
BWRAF (BCD, Weights, Releases, Air, Final OK) is a systematic equipment check that confirms all gear works before the dive begins.
Question 4: A diver notices their dive computer shows they have entered a mandatory decompression stop. What should they do first?
- Surface immediately to avoid further nitrogen absorption
- Ascend to the required stop depth and wait the indicated time (Correct answer)
- Signal the buddy and continue the dive for 5 more minutes
- Perform a giant stride entry at the surface
Correct answer: Ascend to the required stop depth and wait the indicated time
You must ascend to and complete the required decompression stop depth and time shown on the computer before surfacing.
Question 5: During an underwater navigation exercise, a diver swims a square pattern using a compass. Each leg is 30 kicks. After completing all four 90-degree turns, where should the diver end up?
- 30 kicks north of the start point
- Approximately at the original starting point (Correct answer)
- Directly east of the starting point
- At a depth 3 meters shallower than the start
Correct answer: Approximately at the original starting point
A properly executed square pattern using consistent kick cycles and 90-degree turns returns the diver to the starting point.
Question 6: What technique helps a diver maintain neutral buoyancy while hovering motionless in mid-water?
- Continuously kicking upward with the fins
- Making small BCD adjustments every 10 seconds
- Controlling buoyancy through breath control and minimal BCD fine-tuning (Correct answer)
- Holding a full breath throughout the hover
Correct answer: Controlling buoyancy through breath control and minimal BCD fine-tuning
Neutral buoyancy is best maintained by using lung volume (breath control) for minor adjustments and the BCD for coarser changes.
Question 7: 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 high with the shoulders above the waterline
- Floating at eye level, sinking slowly upon exhaling (Correct answer)
- Sinking immediately when the BCD is deflated
- Floating completely horizontally just below the surface
Correct answer: Floating at eye level, sinking slowly upon exhaling
Proper weighting allows you to float at eye level with an empty BCD on a normal breath, then slowly sink as you exhale.
PADI Dive Skills 2
When performing a controlled emergency swimming ascent (CESA), a diver should do which of the following?