Padi Deep Diver Exam Questions

Front 1

What are five valid reasons to deep dive?

Back 1

1. Observe different types of aquatic life and bottom topography unique to deeper environments such as walls.
2. Explore wrecks that lie untouched by waves, surge and ice.
3. Take unique photographs, but you'll want to be completely familiar with taking photos so you can use time effectively while following deep diving procedures.
4. Drift dive in prevailing ocean currents, which slow or stop in shallow water.
5. Recover objects that have been lost in deep water.

Front 2

What is the difference between a proper and an improper deep diving objective?

Back 2

"1. The objectives for each deep dive must be carefully determined.
2. You need to isolate a sensible, nearly singular objective. You only have a short period to get things done while deep diving, so avoid trying to do too much.
3. Do not dive deep to set records.
4. Proper deep diving objectives may include: exploring part of a deep wreck, drift diving with a current along a vertical reef wall, photographing a deeper-water organism and sightseeing.

Front 3

What's the definition of a recreational deep dive?

Back 3

A recreational deep dive is generally defined as a dive deeper than 18 metres to an absolute maximum depth limit of 40 metres.

Front 4

What are four reasons that 30 metres is recommended as the optimal depth limit for recreational diving?

Back 4

Although the maximum depth limit is 40 metres, 30 metres is the optimum limit for most deep dives.
1. You have little time below 30 metres/IOO feet, even though you'll probably use a dive computer and enriched air nitrox to allow more no stop time. Your time gets significantly shorter below 30 metres because you're consuming air/EANx faster, shortening your overall dive.
2. Divers are more susceptible to narcosis at depths below 30 metres - staying shallower helps avoid the problem.
3. There is an increased possibility of decompression sickness at depths below 30 metres; it is easier to overstay the no decompression limits with a single cylinder.
4. In most environments (especially in some freshwater bodies), light intensity falls off dramatically with depth. Below 30 metres, low light levels complicate deep diving and dramatically reduce the diversity of aquatic life.

Front 5

What five factors should you consider when setting your personal depth limit?

Back 5

1. Environmental conditions at a deep dive site (40 metres in a cold, low-visibility lake vs. 40 metres in warm, clear tropical waters).
2. Your psychological and physiological well-being. If you feel unduly anxious, perhaps a less stressful dive is in order.
3. Is this a repetitive dive? If so, consult your computer (or RDP) to be sure you have a reasonable allowable bottom time.
4. Remoteness of dive location, distance to emergency assistance and availability of proper first aid equipment.
5. Training and experience of diving partner; if less than you, plan the dive based on your buddy's training and experience.

Front 6

How do you determine if your personal equipment is suitable for deep diving?

Back 6

1. Regulator with a balanced first stage. Consider obtaining a high-performance second stage design. These include balanced adjustable second stages, pilot valve second stages and Venturi assisted second stages.
2. An annually serviced pressure gauge.
3. Virtually any state-of-the-art BCD should be suitable for recreational deep diving.
4. Since you use gas faster as you dive deeper, use a 12 litre or more cylinder.
5. Wear exposure protection based on the planned depth temperature, not the surface temperature.
6. Always use a dive computer. Consider using a backup depth gauge.
7. Consider using a surface signalling device, such as a whistle.

Front 7

What five specialized pieces of equipment are recommended for deep diving?

Back 7

1. Reference line.
2. Emergency breathing equipment at 5m.
3. Extra weights at 5m.
4. Dive light.
5. First aid kit and oxygen.

Front 8

What makes up a surface support station?

Back 8

Emergency air, emergency weights suspended at 5m, dive flag and reference line. All of this can be replaced by a boat with appropriate equipment.

Front 9

What five guidelines should you follow when using a dive computer?

Back 9

1. Always use it as a no deco device.
2. Don't share computers.
3. If there are several computers in a dive, use the most conservative one.
4. If your computer malfunctions during a dive, make a normal ascent and a safety stop (air permitting). Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding resuming diving.
5. Don't follow your computer blindly. Compare yours with your buddy's.

Front 10

How to maintain buddy contact during deep dives?

Back 10

1. Maintain eye contact during feet first descents and ascents.
2. On the bottom, swim side-by-side.
3. Try to stay within touching distance; use a short line to hold on to in low-visibility conditions.

Front 11

How should you maintain neutral buoyancy on a deep dive?

Back 11

1. Begin each deep dive properly weighted. Check your weighting with a nearly empty cylinder, to give yourself leeway for the safety stop.
2. During descents and ascents, adjust buoyancy often and avoid uncontrolled descents or ascents.
3. If using a dry suit, it's very important to add air to your suit frequently as you descend, not just to maintain neutral buoyancy, but to equalize the suit and prevent a squeeze.

Front 12

Why and how make a head-up descent on a deep dive?

Back 12

1. Reduces disorientation due to vertigo
2. Makes it easier to equalize your when your head is up.
3. Allows for better buoyancy control.
4. Alternatively, use a diagonal position with head somewhat higher than the feet.

Front 13

How to slow or stop a descent/ascent with your hands occupied?

Back 13

1. Hook an elbow around the reference line.
2. If your hands are occupied, wrap your leg around the reference line.

Front 14

How to ascend/descend without a reference line?

Back 14

1. At the start, place your body in a head-up, feet-first vertical or diagonal position.
2. Face your buddy and maintain eye contact.
3. While descending watch the depth on your dive computer and adjust your buoyancy so you don't exceed your maximum depth.
4. While ascending, obey the 18 metres per minute rule or the rate specified by your computer (whichever is slower). Keep one hand overhead and rotate. Listen for boat noises overhead. Make a three minute (or longer) safety stop at 5 metres and wait for noise to pass before continuing your ascent.

Front 15

What are the techniques for estimating an 18 metre per minute ascent rate?

Back 15

1. Use your dive computer.
2. Refer to your buddy's dive computer.
3. Use backup depth gauge and your watch.
4. Watch the bubbles.

Front 16

How to breathe during a deep dive?

Back 16

Air density is higher at depth, so the effort of breathing increases, which may cause the feeling that the diver isn't getting enough air, causing hyperventilation, stress, faster gas use and even regulator blockage. Breathe evenly and use the diaphragm. High-capacity second stage regulator is recommended.

Front 17

How do you avoid low air or out-of-air situations on a deep dive?

Back 17

1. Check your pressure gauge (and other instruments) frequently.
2. Reach your ascent point with sufficient air to make a safe ascent, a three-minute safety stop and reach the surface with an appropriate reserve.
3. Calculate air consumption for a given depth, optimally with an integrated dive computer.
4. Try to avoid overexertion.

Front 18

What is the best way to swim without stirring up the bottom, and why is it important?

Back 18

1. Avoid touching the bottom with your fins. Doing so reduces visibility and destroys aquatic life.
2. As you get near the bottom, stop all fin movement. Neutralize buoyancy.
3. When on the bottom avoid stirring up the bottom. Release the reference line and move away from the descent area.

Front 19

When is a safety stop needed?

Back 19

1. When the dive has been to 30 metres or deeper.
2. When the final pressure group is within three levels of the no deco limit.
3. When you reach any RDP limit.

Front 20

How to perform a safety stop with the aid of a reference line?

Back 20

1. Locate 5m point with the depth gauge and hold the line. Maintain neutral buoyancy.
2. maintain a position next ti the line.
3. In clear, currentless water, hover near the line without hanging on to it.

Front 21

How to perform a safety stop without a reference line?

Back 21

1. Ascend slowly to 5 metres, adjusting your buoyancy to remain neutral at that depth.
2. Maintain the depth by watching your gauge, with a hand on your buddy, who keeps an eye on the boat, navigation or double checks the RDP. Deploy a Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB) if you have one.
3. Maintain a comfortable body position and avoid overexertion.

Front 22

How to perform an emergency deco stop?

Back 22

When using a computer, follow the computer's instructions.
When using RDP:
1. If you exceed the no deco limit by no more than five minutes, make an eight minute stop at 5 metres. Do not dive again for at least six hours.
2. If you exceed the no deco limit by more than five minutes, make a stop at 5 metres for at least 15 minutes (air supply allowing) and do not dive for at least 24 hours.

Front 23

What to do if you accidentally omit a deco stop?

Back 23

1. Remain calm.
2. Inform your buddy and/or DM and monitor yourself closely for symptoms of decompression sickness.
3. Breathe 100% oxygen if available.
4. If anything unusual develops, seek medical assistance.
5. Do not reenter the water.

Front 24

How to make a deep drift dive?

Back 24

1. Make all deep drift dives from boats.
2. Do everything at the same time as your buddy.
3. Depending on the location, enter the water with an inflated BCD or you may enter with an empty BCD and descend immediately.
4. Where practical, use reference buoy. During the dive, make sure the equipment is streamlined and secured.
5. Watch your air supply and no stop times closely and allow an extra margin with both.

Front 25

What are the considerations when making a wall dive.

Back 25

1. Watch depth - in clear water it is easy to exceed depth limits.
2. Dive next to the wall to avoid vertigo. The wall is your reference.
3. Don't harm aquatic life on the wall, avoid touching or kicking the wall with hands or fins.

Front 26

At approximately what depth does narcosis typically begin to affect divers?

Back 26

1. Narcosis, has been linked to absorption of nitrogen into nerve cell structure. All gases can induce narcosis if they penetrate the cell lipid structure in sufficient concentration.
2. Narcosis is variable depending upon the individual, and varies from person to person and in the same person from day to day.
3. At depths of approximately 30 metres to 40 metres you will probably be able to perform routine tasks, which leads to a false sense of security. Actual impairment from narcosis may be inability to cannot handle a stressful, new or complex situation underwater.

Front 27

What are the symptoms of nitrogen narcosis?

Back 27

1. Rigid, inflexible thinking, such as being unable to adapt to unexpected conditions on a dive.
2. Loss of good judgment and short-term memory loss.
3. A false sense of security.
4. Lack of concern for a specific task or for your own safety.
5. Unjustified elation.
6. Drowsiness and a desire to sleep.
7. Anxiety.

Front 28

What are the signs of nitrogen narcosis?

Back 28

1. Inappropriate behavior, such as poor diving habits.
2. Short attention span and slowed thinking, such as having trouble understanding a dive computer or hand signals.
3. Impaired vigilance and a disregard for safety.
4. Stupor and semi consciousness.

Front 29

What five factors may speed the onset of, or intensify the effects of narcosis?

Back 29

1. Hard work underwater and/or failure to breathe deeply, which build up CO2 levels.
2. Inexperience with deep diving or no recent deep dives.
3. Use of alcohol or drugs.
4. Anxiety.
5. Fatigue.

Front 30

How do you prevent narcosis, and what do you do if it occurs?

Back 30

Most of the time you can avoid narcosis by staying above 30 metres, keeping in mind that it can occur shallower if drugs or other factors are involved. If narcosis becomes a factor on a deep dive ascend to a shallower depth and narcosis will subside on its own with no aftereffects.

Front 31

What is the primary reason recreational divers experience decompression sickness?

Back 31

The primary reason is diver error. Most important examples are:
1. Misuse o, or failure to use dive computers or tables.
2. Exceeding proper ascent rates.
3. Omitting emergency decompression stops.
4. Running out of air, leading to exceeding proper ascent rates and omitting emergency decompression/safety stops.
5. Ignoring factors that predispose divers to DCS.
6. Failure to follow conservative diving practices.

Front 32

What are the five symptoms of decompression symptoms?

Back 32

1. Pain, often in the limbs, and also often, but not necessarily in the joints. The pain can move over time.
2. Numbness, tingling or paralysis
3. Unusual fatigue or weakness.
4. Skin itch.
5. Shortness of breath.

Front 33

What are the seven signs of decompression sickness?

Back 33

1. Favoring an arm or leg, or rubbing a joint.
2. Paralysis.
3. Unconsciousness.
4. Staggering.
5. Collapse.
6. Coughing spasms.
7. Blotchy skin rash.

Front 34

When does DCS manifest itself?

Back 34

In the majority of instances, DCS occurs at the surface within one to two hours of the dive. However, it can occur underwater at a shallow depth, and symptoms can be delayed as long as 48 hours.

Front 35

What are the factors predisposing divers to decompression sickness?

Back 35

1. Dehydration, which reduces the blood circulating to eliminate nitrogen.
2. Excess fat tissue and poor fitness.
3. Age.
4. Heavy exertion immediately before, during or immediately aftera deep dive.
5. Injuries and illness.
6. Use of alcohol.
7. Cold water.
8. Hot showers or baths immediately after a dive.
9. Carbon dioxide increase.
10. Exposure to altitude.

Front 36

What can you do to avoid decompression sickness?

Back 36

Never dive to the limits of the Recreational Dive Planner and avoid factors or situations that may aggravate the situation.

Front 37

What is the recommended emergency core for a diver suspected of having decompression sickness?

Back 37

1. Have the diver lie down and administer 100 percent oxygen if available. For most cases, have the diver lie on the back or left side.
2. In severe cases, in which the patient has no breath and no signs of circulation, you will need to provide CPR. In this case, the patient must be face up.
3. Put an unresponsive breathing diver in the recovery position, left side down.
4. After beginning first aid - or before if the diver is unresponsive and you're alone - immediately contact the local emergency medical system.

Front 38

What are seven reasons why a diver suspected of having decompression sickness should not be recompressed underwater?

Back 38

1. Recompression often requires extreme pressure - the equivalent of 50 metres, which is well beyond safe diving depths.
2. Recompression usually involves oxygen and drug therapy, both of which are at best difficult and under many circumstances impossible underwater.
3. Recompression treatments typically take six to 10 hours - far longer than a diver can reasonably endure the heat loss even in very warm water, and that assumes having adequate air for such a dive.
4. Attempting treatment underwater makes it impossible for medical personnel to observe the diver, and the diver's safety is jeopardized because it's hard to communicate with him.
5. Attempting to recompress underwater will make someone worse if with an incomplete attempt, and it only delays getting the patient to a proper medical facility.