Scuba Diving Open Water 3

Question 1

During a safety stop, how long should a diver remain at approximately 5 meters (15 feet)?

Accepted Answer

3 minutes

Answer

The standard safety stop is 3 minutes at 5 meters (15 feet), allowing excess nitrogen to off-gas before surfacing.

Question 2

What should a diver do if they become separated from their buddy underwater?

Accepted Answer

Search for 1 minute, then ascend and reunite at the surface

Answer

Standard protocol is to search for approximately one minute, then ascend safely and reunite at the surface or the dive boat.

Question 3

What does the term 'off-gassing' refer to in scuba diving?

Accepted Answer

The elimination of dissolved nitrogen from body tissues

Answer

Off-gassing is the process by which dissolved nitrogen that accumulated in body tissues during a dive is safely eliminated during and after ascent.

Question 4

Which piece of equipment controls a diver's rate of ascent and descent most directly?

Accepted Answer

Buoyancy Compensator Device (BCD)

Answer

The BCD is inflated to add buoyancy for ascent and deflated to reduce buoyancy for descent, giving the diver direct control over vertical movement.

Question 5

What is the recommended maximum ascent rate for recreational scuba divers?

Accepted Answer

9 meters (30 feet) per minute

Answer

Recreational dive agencies recommend ascending no faster than 9 meters (30 feet) per minute to allow safe nitrogen elimination and prevent DCS.

Scuba Diving Practice Test