Spearfishing Spearfishing Safety and Dive Planning

Question 1

What is the primary cause of death among spearfishers during breath-hold diving?

Accepted Answer

Shallow water blackout

Answer

Shark attacks

Answer

Decompression sickness

Answer

Equipment failure

Question 2

Why should spearfishers never hyperventilate before a dive?

Accepted Answer

It lowers CO2 without raising O2, masking the urge to breathe

Answer

It wastes energy

Answer

It increases buoyancy

Answer

It causes ear pain

Question 3

What is the recommended buddy system rule for spearfishing?

Accepted Answer

One diver watches while the other dives, never both diving at once

Answer

Both divers descend together

Answer

Buddy stays on the boat

Answer

Buddies dive independently and meet at the surface

Question 4

What minimum surface interval is commonly recommended between consecutive breath-hold dives to reduce blackout risk?

Accepted Answer

At least twice the dive time

Answer

10 seconds

Answer

30 seconds

Answer

5 minutes

Question 5

Which flag must US spearfishers display to warn boaters of a diver below?

Accepted Answer

Diver Down flag (red with white diagonal stripe)

Answer

Alpha flag (blue and white)

Answer

Orange distress flag

Answer

Green dive flag

Question 6

What is a critical pre-dive safety check specifically related to a loaded speargun?

Accepted Answer

Ensure the safety is engaged and the gun is pointed in a safe direction

Answer

Test the reel drag

Answer

Check buoyancy compensator inflation

Answer

Verify tank pressure