Scuba Diving Open Water 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the maximum depth limit for PADI Open Water certified divers?
- 18 meters (60 feet)
- 30 meters (100 feet) (Correct answer)
- 40 meters (130 feet)
- 12 meters (40 feet)
Correct answer: 30 meters (100 feet)
PADI Open Water certified divers are certified to a maximum depth of 18 meters (60 feet), though the recreational limit is 40 meters with advanced training.
Question 2: Which hand signal indicates 'I am out of air' underwater?
- Thumb pointing up
- Flat hand slashing across throat (Correct answer)
- Fist pumping up and down
- Hand waving side to side
Correct answer: Flat hand slashing across throat
The flat hand slashing across the throat is the universal signal for 'out of air,' prompting your buddy to share air.
Question 3: What happens to a diver's buoyancy as they descend deeper?
- Buoyancy increases due to water pressure
- Buoyancy stays the same regardless of depth
- Buoyancy decreases as the wetsuit compresses (Correct answer)
- Buoyancy increases as the BCD inflates automatically
Correct answer: Buoyancy decreases as the wetsuit compresses
As depth increases, water pressure compresses the neoprene in a wetsuit, reducing its volume and making the diver less buoyant.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of a surface marker buoy (SMB)?
- To mark underwater dive sites
- To signal your location to boats while ascending (Correct answer)
- To measure surface currents
- To store extra air for ascents
Correct answer: To signal your location to boats while ascending
An SMB is deployed during ascent to signal divers' positions to surface vessels, greatly reducing the risk of boat strikes.
Question 5: A diver notices their pressure gauge reads 500 psi (35 bar). What should they do?
- Continue diving normally for 10 more minutes
- Immediately ascend to the surface alone
- Signal their buddy and begin a safe ascent (Correct answer)
- Switch to their backup tank
Correct answer: Signal their buddy and begin a safe ascent
500 psi is typically the reserve pressure; divers should signal their buddy and begin ascending together while air remains for a controlled ascent.
Question 6: What is 'nitrogen narcosis' sometimes compared to in terms of its effect?
- Caffeine intoxication
- Alcohol intoxication (Correct answer)
- Oxygen toxicity seizure
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
Correct answer: Alcohol intoxication
Nitrogen narcosis impairs judgment and coordination in a manner similar to alcohol intoxication, typically occurring below 30 meters (100 feet).
Question 7: Which factor most affects how quickly a diver consumes their air supply?
- Water temperature
- Depth and level of exertion (Correct answer)
- Color of the wetsuit
- Brand of the regulator
Correct answer: Depth and level of exertion
Depth increases air density (requiring more volume per breath) and exertion increases breathing rate, together being the biggest factors in air consumption.
Scuba Diving Open Water 2
What is the maximum depth limit for PADI Open Water certified divers?