PADI Dive Skills 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A diver is towing an unconscious diver at the surface. Which position is safest for the unconscious diver?
- Face-down to prevent water from entering the lungs
- Face-up with the airway clear of the water (Correct answer)
- On their side with mouth submerged to drain water
- Fully submerged just below the surface to reduce wave impact
Correct answer: Face-up with the airway clear of the water
An unconscious diver must be kept face-up with the airway above the waterline to maintain an open airway and allow rescue breathing if needed.
Question 2: What is the correct response when a diver's BCD inflator hose becomes stuck in the inflate position and the BCD is over-inflating?
- Disconnect the low-pressure inflator hose and vent the BCD orally or via the dump valves (Correct answer)
- Swim downward forcefully to counteract the lift
- Ditch all weights immediately and surface
- Purge the regulator to distract from the inflation
Correct answer: Disconnect the low-pressure inflator hose and vent the BCD orally or via the dump valves
Disconnecting the low-pressure inflator hose stops the source of inflation, and the diver can then vent excess air through dump valves or the oral inflator.
Question 3: Which condition most increases the risk of nitrogen narcosis affecting diver judgment?
- Shallow depth below 10 m (33 ft)
- Cold water, anxiety, or rapid descent to depth (Correct answer)
- Low cylinder pressure below 100 bar
- Breathing pure oxygen at depth
Correct answer: Cold water, anxiety, or rapid descent to depth
Cold water, anxiety, fatigue, and rapid descent to depth all increase susceptibility to nitrogen narcosis and its effects on judgment.
Question 4: During a boat dive, a diver surfaces 100 meters from the vessel in choppy conditions. What is the recommended first action?
- Remove all gear and swim unencumbered back to the boat
- Inflate the BCD, establish positive buoyancy, and signal the boat using a surface marker or whistle (Correct answer)
- Ditch the weight belt to gain maximum buoyancy and wait
- Submerge again and navigate back underwater
Correct answer: Inflate the BCD, establish positive buoyancy, and signal the boat using a surface marker or whistle
Establishing positive buoyancy by inflating the BCD is the priority, followed by signaling the boat using an SMB, whistle, or mirror.
Question 5: When practicing buoyant ascent skills, which action correctly describes the 'LPI hose up' technique during ascent?
- Holding the LPI hose downward to trap air in the BCD
- Raising the LPI hose overhead and pressing the deflate button to vent expanding air (Correct answer)
- Detaching the LPI hose before beginning the ascent
- Using the LPI hose to signal a safety stop to the buddy
Correct answer: Raising the LPI hose overhead and pressing the deflate button to vent expanding air
Holding the LPI hose overhead positions the BCD's highest point at the valve, allowing expanding air to vent efficiently during ascent.
Question 6: What should a diver do if they surface in an unexpected location far from the planned exit point due to a stronger-than-anticipated current?
- Swim against the current to return to the planned exit
- Stay calm, establish positive buoyancy, signal for assistance, and conserve energy (Correct answer)
- Submerge and attempt to navigate back on the bottom
- Immediately ditch gear to reduce drag and swim harder
Correct answer: Stay calm, establish positive buoyancy, signal for assistance, and conserve energy
A diver in an unexpected location should inflate the BCD, signal rescuers, and conserve energy rather than exhausting themselves fighting the current.
Question 7: What does a diver's SPG (submersible pressure gauge) reading of 500 psi (34 bar) indicate during a recreational dive?
- The tank is completely full and the dive can continue indefinitely
- The diver has reached their reserve air supply and should begin ascending (Correct answer)
- The regulator will stop delivering air in approximately 2 minutes
- The first stage needs to be purged before continuing
Correct answer: The diver has reached their reserve air supply and should begin ascending
500 psi (34 bar) is the commonly accepted recreational air reserve, signaling the diver to begin a safe ascent while enough air remains for a normal and safety stop.
PADI Dive Skills 5
A diver is towing an unconscious diver at the surface.
Which position is safest for the unconscious diver?