PADI Wreck & Cave Diving Fundamentals 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In cave diving, what is a 'jump' or 'jump connection'?
- A sudden change in water temperature inside a cave
- A technique to cross from one guideline to another at a T or junction (Correct answer)
- An emergency ascent procedure used when gas is low
- A type of buoyancy error causing a diver to hit the ceiling
Correct answer: A technique to cross from one guideline to another at a T or junction
A jump allows a diver to leave one guideline and connect to another at a junction using a jump reel to maintain a continuous line.
Question 2: What is the recommended minimum number of lights a cave diver should carry?
- One primary light only
- One primary and one backup
- One primary and two backups (Correct answer)
- Two primaries and one backup
Correct answer: One primary and two backups
Cave divers carry three lights — one primary and two backups — because total darkness renders the dive immediately life-threatening.
Question 3: Which hazard unique to wreck diving can cause a diver to become positively buoyant unexpectedly?
- Thermoclines inside the wreck
- Air pockets trapped in inverted compartments (Correct answer)
- Increased salinity from bilge water
- Nitrogen narcosis at depth
Correct answer: Air pockets trapped in inverted compartments
Air pockets trapped in inverted hull sections can cause unexpected buoyancy shifts if a diver enters or exits them.
Question 4: What is the significance of a 'line arrow' (permanent arrow) placed on a cave guideline?
- It marks the maximum safe penetration depth
- It indicates the direction toward the closest exit (Correct answer)
- It warns of a restriction ahead
- It marks the turnaround point for the rule of thirds
Correct answer: It indicates the direction toward the closest exit
Permanent arrows always point toward the nearest exit, helping disoriented divers find their way out quickly.
Question 5: Which diving condition is most likely to cause rapid loss of guideline visibility in a wreck or cave?
- Strong haloclines
- Fine silt disturbed by exhaust bubbles or fin kicks (Correct answer)
- Cold water reducing mask clarity
- Current flowing into the wreck
Correct answer: Fine silt disturbed by exhaust bubbles or fin kicks
Fine silt particles are easily suspended by exhaust bubbles or poor fin technique, causing rapid and complete visibility loss.
Question 6: Under PADI standards, the maximum depth for recreational wreck diving (non-technical) is:
- 18 meters / 60 feet
- 30 meters / 100 feet
- 40 meters / 130 feet (Correct answer)
- 50 meters / 165 feet
Correct answer: 40 meters / 130 feet
PADI's recreational diving limit is 40 meters / 130 feet, which applies to all recreational wreck diving.
Question 7: What is the primary reason that overhead environments require special training beyond standard open water skills?
- Gas consumption increases dramatically inside wrecks and caves
- Divers cannot make a direct vertical ascent to the surface in an emergency (Correct answer)
- Narcosis is more severe in enclosed spaces
- Depth gauges are unreliable inside metal wrecks
Correct answer: Divers cannot make a direct vertical ascent to the surface in an emergency
The inability to make a direct emergency ascent means all life-threatening problems must be solved underwater without the option of quickly surfacing.
PADI Wreck & Cave Diving Fundamentals 3
In cave diving, what is a 'jump' or 'jump connection'?