PADI Dive Skills 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which fin kick technique is most appropriate for diving in an overhead environment or near delicate coral to minimize silting?
- Flutter kick
- Frog kick (Correct answer)
- Helicopter kick
- Scissor kick
Correct answer: Frog kick
The frog kick produces thrust with a horizontal motion that directs water rearward rather than downward, significantly reducing silt disturbance.
Question 2: When should a diver signal 'out of air' to their buddy?
- When the SPG reads 700 psi (50 bar)
- When the SPG reads 500 psi (34 bar) and they cannot ascend independently
- Immediately when air runs out completely (Correct answer)
- Only after attempting a CESA first
Correct answer: Immediately when air runs out completely
The 'out of air' signal (cutting motion across the throat) should be given immediately when you have no air, so your buddy can donate an alternate air source without delay.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes the correct procedure for donating an alternate air source to an out-of-air diver?
- Hand the primary second stage to the distressed diver and switch to your own backup
- Keep your primary regulator and hand the distressed diver your alternate air source, then both ascend (Correct answer)
- Signal the surface and wait for the dive leader before acting
- Inflate the distressed diver's BCD fully, then donate your alternate
Correct answer: Keep your primary regulator and hand the distressed diver your alternate air source, then both ascend
The donor keeps their own primary regulator and gives the out-of-air diver the alternate air source (octopus), then both ascend together.
Question 4: A diver experiences a mask flood during a night dive. What is the recommended first action?
- Surface immediately and remove the mask
- Stay calm, keep the regulator in the mouth, and clear the mask using the standard clear technique (Correct answer)
- Signal the buddy to perform the clear on their behalf
- Remove the mask entirely and continue without it
Correct answer: Stay calm, keep the regulator in the mouth, and clear the mask using the standard clear technique
Staying calm and clearing the mask by pressing the top frame and exhaling through the nose is the correct response in any dive condition, including night dives.
Question 5: What is the recommended ascent rate for recreational PADI divers using a dive computer?
- 30 m/min (100 ft/min)
- 18 m/min (60 ft/min) or slower (Correct answer)
- 9 m/min (30 ft/min) maximum
- Any rate the diver is comfortable with
Correct answer: 18 m/min (60 ft/min) or slower
PADI recommends ascending no faster than 18 m/min (60 ft/min) to allow adequate off-gassing and reduce decompression sickness risk.
Question 6: During a drift dive, what is the best way for a buddy team to stay together if one diver begins moving faster than the other?
- The faster diver should surface and wait
- The slower diver should drop additional weight
- Both divers should use a buddy line or stay within arm's reach (Correct answer)
- The faster diver signals OK and continues independently
Correct answer: Both divers should use a buddy line or stay within arm's reach
A buddy line or maintaining close physical proximity ensures the team stays together in strong current where visual contact alone may not be sufficient.
Question 7: Why is it important to vent air from a dry suit through the exhaust valve during an ascent?
- To equalize the suit with ambient pressure and prevent uncontrolled buoyant ascent (Correct answer)
- To allow water to enter and cool the diver
- To avoid fogging the mask during ascent
- To signal other divers that the ascent has begun
Correct answer: To equalize the suit with ambient pressure and prevent uncontrolled buoyant ascent
As a diver ascends, air in the dry suit expands; venting through the exhaust valve prevents over-inflation that could cause a runaway ascent.
PADI Dive Skills 3
Which fin kick technique is most appropriate for diving in an overhead environment or near delicate coral to minimize silting?