Scuba Diving Safety Diving 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a surface marker buoy (SMB) when used at depth?
- To signal your position to boat traffic before surfacing (Correct answer)
- To measure current direction underwater
- To mark a dive site for other divers
- To provide additional buoyancy during descent
Correct answer: To signal your position to boat traffic before surfacing
An SMB is deployed at depth to alert surface traffic and boat crew to your ascent location before you surface.
Question 2: When conducting a buddy check, the acronym BWRAF stands for BCD, Weights, Releases, Air, and what?
- Final OK (Correct answer)
- Fins
- Float
- Flags
Correct answer: Final OK
BWRAF ends with 'Final OK,' a last confirmation that both divers are ready to enter the water.
Question 3: A diver experiences sudden disorientation, nausea, and nystagmus (involuntary eye movement) underwater. These are classic signs of what condition?
- Caloric vertigo from unequal water temperature in the ears (Correct answer)
- Nitrogen narcosis
- Oxygen toxicity
- Hypercapnia
Correct answer: Caloric vertigo from unequal water temperature in the ears
Cold water entering one ear faster than the other creates caloric vertigo, causing disorientation and nausea.
Question 4: How much time should a diver wait before flying in an aircraft after a single no-decompression dive?
- At least 12 hours (Correct answer)
- At least 4 hours
- At least 24 hours
- At least 6 hours
Correct answer: At least 12 hours
PADI and DAN guidelines recommend waiting at least 12 hours after a single no-decompression dive before flying.
Question 5: What does a diver do if they cannot equalize ear pressure during descent?
- Ascend a few feet, then try equalizing again (Correct answer)
- Pinch the nose and inhale sharply
- Continue descending slowly and the pressure will self-equalize
- Tilt the head toward the painful side and descend faster
Correct answer: Ascend a few feet, then try equalizing again
Ascending slightly relieves the pressure differential and allows the Eustachian tubes to open for successful equalization.
Question 6: Which condition describes excess carbon dioxide buildup in a diver's body due to skip breathing or overexertion?
- Hypercapnia (Correct answer)
- Hypoxia
- Hyperoxia
- Hypothermia
Correct answer: Hypercapnia
Hypercapnia is CO2 buildup, often caused by skip breathing or heavy exertion, and can lead to headache, panic, or unconsciousness.
Question 7: What is the recommended minimum surface interval between repetitive dives according to most recreational dive tables?
- 1 hour (Correct answer)
- 15 minutes
- 30 minutes
- 2 hours
Correct answer: 1 hour
Most recreational dive tables and computers require at least a 1-hour surface interval between repetitive dives to off-gas safely.
Scuba Diving Safety Diving 2
What is the primary purpose of a surface marker buoy (SMB) when used at depth?