PADI Emergency & Rescue Procedures 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A diver at 18 meters signals distress and begins an uncontrolled ascent. As the rescue diver nearby, what is your FIRST action?
- Ascend faster than the diver to reach the surface first
- Attempt to slow the ascent by grabbing the diver
- Follow at a safe distance and monitor, preparing to assist at the surface (Correct answer)
- Signal the boat immediately using your SMB
Correct answer: Follow at a safe distance and monitor, preparing to assist at the surface
Attempting to physically stop a panicked diver mid-ascent is dangerous — follow at a safe distance and be ready to assist when they surface.
Question 2: What is the minimum recommended oxygen flow rate when using a demand valve for a breathing DCI victim?
- 6 liters per minute
- 10 liters per minute
- As demanded by the patient's breath (Correct answer)
- 15 liters per minute
Correct answer: As demanded by the patient's breath
A demand valve delivers oxygen only when the patient inhales, providing flow exactly as needed with each breath, ensuring near 100% oxygen delivery.
Question 3: Which factor MOST increases the risk that a rescuer will become a second victim during a water rescue?
- The victim is wearing a wetsuit
- The rescuer is not wearing fins
- The rescuer is undertrained and underestimates the victim's strength (Correct answer)
- The water is calm and shallow
Correct answer: The rescuer is undertrained and underestimates the victim's strength
Undertrained rescuers who underestimate a panicked victim's desperate strength are at highest risk of being pulled under and becoming victims themselves.
Question 4: What does a diver's irregular or labored breathing at the surface most likely indicate?
- The diver is hyperventilating intentionally
- The diver may be distressed and heading toward panic or exhaustion (Correct answer)
- The diver's regulator is malfunctioning
- The diver is performing breath-hold diving
Correct answer: The diver may be distressed and heading toward panic or exhaustion
Irregular, labored breathing at the surface is an early warning sign of distress that can rapidly escalate to panic or unconsciousness.
Question 5: After bringing an unconscious non-breathing diver to the surface, you are 200 meters from shore. What should you do?
- Rest and signal for help before doing anything else
- Begin in-water rescue breathing while towing to shore (Correct answer)
- Remove all equipment before starting tow
- Wait for the victim to begin breathing spontaneously
Correct answer: Begin in-water rescue breathing while towing to shore
In-water rescue breathing should begin immediately and continue during the tow — delaying ventilation increases brain damage risk.
Question 6: Which action is CONTRAINDICATED when caring for a suspected spinal injury victim in the water?
- Keeping the victim's head in a neutral position
- Floating the victim horizontally
- Allowing the victim's head to flex forward or rotate (Correct answer)
- Maintaining the victim's airway
Correct answer: Allowing the victim's head to flex forward or rotate
Allowing head flexion or rotation can worsen spinal cord damage — the head must be kept in a neutral, in-line position at all times.
Question 7: What is the PADI recommended search pattern when a buddy cannot be located underwater?
- Immediately ascend and notify the surface
- Search the area for 1 minute, then ascend and initiate surface emergency procedures (Correct answer)
- Continue the dive and check the exit point
- Swim in an expanding square pattern for 15 minutes
Correct answer: Search the area for 1 minute, then ascend and initiate surface emergency procedures
PADI advises a brief underwater search of about one minute, then ascending to notify the surface and initiate emergency procedures.
PADI Emergency & Rescue Procedures 5
A diver at 18 meters signals distress and begins an uncontrolled ascent.
As the rescue diver nearby, what is your FIRST action?