PADI OPEN WATER DIVER PRACTICE TEST
2026 CORE QUESTIONS AND ACCURATE
ANSWERS OCEAN SAFETY TRAINING KIT
◉ How does descending affect my buoyancy?
Answer: The volume decreases, reducing buoyancy, so you ADD air
to the BC
◉ How does ascending affect my buoyancy?
Answer: The volume increases, adding buoyancy, so you RELEASE
air from the BC
◉ How does breathing affect my buoyancy?
Answer: Inhaling adds, exhaling reduces
◉ What is the buddy system?
Answer: Diving with another diver
◉ What are the 3 most important considerations in choosing scuba
equipment?
Answer: Suitability, fit, and comfort
,◉ How do I generally care for scuba equipment?
Answer: Rinse everything in fresh water and dry it in the shade and
store in a cool, dry place
◉ Why do I need a mask?
Answer: It provides an air space so your eyes can focus because light
behaves differently underwater
◉ Why does my mask need to enclose my nose?
Answer: Because the mask creates an air space, you need your nose
to blow in it to equalize it
◉ Why do I need a snorkel?
Answer: It saves your air supply while your face is in the water
◉ What are 2 basic fin styles?
Answer: Full-foot and adjustable strap
◉ What consists of your scuba kit?
Answer: Buoyancy control device, regulator, air cylinder, weight
system
◉ What 5 components make up a BCD?
, Answer: Inflatable bladder, harness/jacket and cylinder band, low
pressure inflator (LPI) mechanism, overpressure/quick dump
exhaust valve, weight system
◉ inflatable bladder
Answer: Controls buoyancy
◉ harness/jacket and cylinder band
Answer: Holds cylinder on back
◉ low pressure inflator (LPI) mechanism
Answer: Inflates bladder with air from your cylinder with the touch
of a button
◉ overpressure/quick dump exhaust valve
Answer: Vents air if the bladder is overfilled
◉ weight system
Answer: Contain weight pockets that you release and drop in case of
emergency
◉ What 2 special maintenance considerations do BCDs have?
2026 CORE QUESTIONS AND ACCURATE
ANSWERS OCEAN SAFETY TRAINING KIT
◉ How does descending affect my buoyancy?
Answer: The volume decreases, reducing buoyancy, so you ADD air
to the BC
◉ How does ascending affect my buoyancy?
Answer: The volume increases, adding buoyancy, so you RELEASE
air from the BC
◉ How does breathing affect my buoyancy?
Answer: Inhaling adds, exhaling reduces
◉ What is the buddy system?
Answer: Diving with another diver
◉ What are the 3 most important considerations in choosing scuba
equipment?
Answer: Suitability, fit, and comfort
,◉ How do I generally care for scuba equipment?
Answer: Rinse everything in fresh water and dry it in the shade and
store in a cool, dry place
◉ Why do I need a mask?
Answer: It provides an air space so your eyes can focus because light
behaves differently underwater
◉ Why does my mask need to enclose my nose?
Answer: Because the mask creates an air space, you need your nose
to blow in it to equalize it
◉ Why do I need a snorkel?
Answer: It saves your air supply while your face is in the water
◉ What are 2 basic fin styles?
Answer: Full-foot and adjustable strap
◉ What consists of your scuba kit?
Answer: Buoyancy control device, regulator, air cylinder, weight
system
◉ What 5 components make up a BCD?
, Answer: Inflatable bladder, harness/jacket and cylinder band, low
pressure inflator (LPI) mechanism, overpressure/quick dump
exhaust valve, weight system
◉ inflatable bladder
Answer: Controls buoyancy
◉ harness/jacket and cylinder band
Answer: Holds cylinder on back
◉ low pressure inflator (LPI) mechanism
Answer: Inflates bladder with air from your cylinder with the touch
of a button
◉ overpressure/quick dump exhaust valve
Answer: Vents air if the bladder is overfilled
◉ weight system
Answer: Contain weight pockets that you release and drop in case of
emergency
◉ What 2 special maintenance considerations do BCDs have?
