PADI Wreck & Cave Diving Fundamentals 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In cave diving, the 'rule of thirds' for gas management means you should turn back when you have used how much of your starting gas supply?
- One quarter
- One third (Correct answer)
- One half
- Two thirds
Correct answer: One third
The rule of thirds reserves one third for the exit, one third for a buddy's emergency, and one third is never used.
Question 2: Which type of wreck penetration is considered the most hazardous due to reduced natural light and increased entanglement risk?
- Swimthrough penetration
- Deep wreck penetration
- Overhead environment penetration beyond 40 meters
- Penetration beyond the light zone (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Penetration beyond the light zone
Penetrating beyond the light zone removes the diver's ability to see exits without artificial light and dramatically increases risk.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of laying a continuous guideline during cave diving?
- To mark hazardous areas for other divers
- To provide a tactile reference back to the exit in zero visibility (Correct answer)
- To measure distance traveled into the cave
- To prevent silting of the cave floor
Correct answer: To provide a tactile reference back to the exit in zero visibility
A continuous guideline allows divers to navigate back to the exit by feel even in zero visibility caused by silt-out.
Question 4: Which certification level is required before a diver may penetrate a wreck beyond the light zone according to PADI standards?
- Advanced Open Water Diver
- Rescue Diver
- PADI Wreck Diver Specialty (Correct answer)
- PADI Deep Diver Specialty
Correct answer: PADI Wreck Diver Specialty
The PADI Wreck Diver Specialty teaches the skills and procedures needed for safe overhead environment penetration.
Question 5: During a wreck dive, silt is disturbed and visibility drops to near zero. What is the correct immediate action?
- Ascend directly to the surface as fast as possible
- Stop all movement, stay calm, and follow the guideline to the exit (Correct answer)
- Signal your buddy and wait for visibility to improve
- Inflate the BCD fully and rise to the ceiling of the wreck
Correct answer: Stop all movement, stay calm, and follow the guideline to the exit
Stopping movement prevents further silting, and following the pre-laid guideline allows a controlled exit without visibility.
Question 6: What does the term 'cavern zone' refer to in cave diving?
- Any area inside a cave that requires a decompression stop
- The area within 60 meters of the entrance where natural light is visible (Correct answer)
- The deepest section of a cave system
- The area beyond the first restriction or sump
Correct answer: The area within 60 meters of the entrance where natural light is visible
The cavern zone is defined as the area within 60 meters of the entrance where a diver can always see natural light.
Question 7: Which equipment item is considered mandatory for safe wreck and cave penetration diving beyond the recreational cavern zone?
- Dive computer with air integration
- Redundant cutting device
- Surface marker buoy
- Redundant guideline reels (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Redundant guideline reels
A primary and backup reel ensure a diver can re-establish a lost guideline and always maintain a continuous line to the exit.
PADI Wreck & Cave Diving Fundamentals 2
In cave diving, the 'rule of thirds' for gas management means you should turn back when you have used how much of your starting gas supply?