PADI Open Water Diver 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the acronym 'SEABAG' stand for in PADI dive planning?
- Safe Entry, Ascent, Buddy, Air, Gas
- Site conditions, Equipment, Activity, Buoyancy, Air, Gas (Correct answer)
- Stop, Evaluate, Ascend, Buddy, Air, Go
- Surface, Entry, Ascent, Bottom time, Air, Gas
Correct answer: Site conditions, Equipment, Activity, Buoyancy, Air, Gas
SEABAG is a pre-dive planning checklist covering Site conditions, Equipment, Activity, Buoyancy, Air, and Gas management.
Question 2: How should a diver signal 'I'm okay' to their buddy underwater?
- Thumbs up signal
- Flat hand waved side to side
- Circle formed with thumb and index finger (OK sign) (Correct answer)
- Pointing upward with index finger
Correct answer: Circle formed with thumb and index finger (OK sign)
The OK signal underwater is made by forming a circle with the thumb and index finger, indicating all is well.
Question 3: What is nitrogen narcosis most likely to impair in a diver?
- Vision and color perception
- Judgment, reasoning, and coordination (Correct answer)
- Heart rate and breathing
- Body temperature regulation
Correct answer: Judgment, reasoning, and coordination
Nitrogen narcosis impairs judgment, reasoning, and motor coordination, similar to the effects of alcohol intoxication.
Question 4: When planning a multi-level dive, which depth should be visited first?
- Shallowest depth first
- Deepest depth first (Correct answer)
- Either order is equally safe
- The depth with most marine life first
Correct answer: Deepest depth first
Always dive deepest first, then progressively ascend to shallower depths to manage nitrogen accumulation safely.
Question 5: What is the correct action if your regulator begins to freeflow (continuously releases air) underwater?
- Immediately surface as fast as possible
- Breathe from the side of the mouthpiece and ascend in a controlled manner (Correct answer)
- Switch to your buddy's alternate air source immediately
- Purge the regulator repeatedly to stop the flow
Correct answer: Breathe from the side of the mouthpiece and ascend in a controlled manner
You can breathe from a freeflowing regulator by sipping air from the side of the mouthpiece while making a controlled ascent.
Question 6: What causes a 'squeeze' (barotrauma) during descent?
- Water pressure compressing gas spaces that are not equalized (Correct answer)
- Nitrogen dissolving into body tissues too quickly
- Cold water constricting blood vessels
- Overexertion causing muscle cramping
Correct answer: Water pressure compressing gas spaces that are not equalized
A squeeze occurs when increasing water pressure compresses unequalized air spaces like the ears, sinuses, or mask, causing pain or injury.
Question 7: What is the recommended surface interval between dives to reduce nitrogen buildup?
- At least 10 minutes
- At least 1 hour (Correct answer)
- At least 30 minutes
- At least 3 hours
Correct answer: At least 1 hour
PADI recommends a minimum surface interval of at least 1 hour between dives to allow nitrogen to off-gas and reduce repetitive dive risks.
PADI Open Water Diver 3
What does the acronym 'SEABAG' stand for in PADI dive planning?