PADI Emergency Procedures & Rescue Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When towing an unresponsive diver at the surface, what is the preferred tow position?
- Face-down tow to drain water from airways
- Face-up tow keeping the airway clear and head above water (Correct answer)
- Side tow with the diver's arm over your shoulder
- Underwater tow to reduce drag
Correct answer: Face-up tow keeping the airway clear and head above water
The face-up tow keeps the victim's airway clear and accessible for rescue breaths while moving toward safety.
Question 2: A diver surfaces and signals 'okay' but then becomes unresponsive 30 seconds later. What should you suspect first?
- Nitrogen narcosis
- Arterial gas embolism (AGE) (Correct answer)
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Decompression sickness (DCS)
Correct answer: Arterial gas embolism (AGE)
AGE typically causes rapid loss of consciousness within 10 minutes of surfacing, often preceded by a brief conscious period.
Question 3: What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for CPR in a two-rescuer adult scenario?
- 15:2
- 30:2 (Correct answer)
- 5:1
- 10:2
Correct answer: 30:2
Current guidelines call for 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths in a two-rescuer adult CPR cycle.
Question 4: During a rescue, a panicked diver grabs you and pushes you underwater. What is the best immediate response?
- Grab the diver's BCD and inflate it fully
- Submerge beneath the panicked diver to break their grip (Correct answer)
- Yell at the diver to calm down before approaching again
- Signal for help and wait at the surface
Correct answer: Submerge beneath the panicked diver to break their grip
Submerging takes you out of the panicked diver's reach because they will not follow you down and you can resurface safely behind them.
Question 5: Which symptom is MOST associated with decompression sickness (Type II) rather than Type I?
- Joint and limb pain
- Skin mottling only
- Neurological symptoms such as paralysis (Correct answer)
- Lymphatic swelling
Correct answer: Neurological symptoms such as paralysis
Type II DCS involves serious neurological, pulmonary, or cardiovascular manifestations, distinguishing it from the musculoskeletal symptoms of Type I.
Question 6: What is the recommended first aid oxygen flow rate when using a non-rebreather mask for a diving injury victim?
- 4–6 L/min
- 8–10 L/min
- 15 L/min or more (Correct answer)
- 2–3 L/min
Correct answer: 15 L/min or more
A flow rate of at least 15 L/min is needed to keep the reservoir bag of a non-rebreather mask adequately inflated and deliver close to 100% oxygen.
Question 7: When performing in-water rescue breathing, how often should you deliver a breath to the victim?
- Every 2 seconds
- Every 5 seconds (Correct answer)
- Every 10 seconds
- Every 15 seconds
Correct answer: Every 5 seconds
PADI recommends delivering one breath approximately every 5 seconds during in-water rescue breathing to mimic a normal respiratory rate.
PADI Emergency Procedures & Rescue Techniques 2
When towing an unresponsive diver at the surface, what is the preferred tow position?