PADI Open Water Updated Actual Exam
Question and Answer (2026/2027) | 100%
Verified Answers
• What is the pressure change for each 10m/33ft of depth change? -✓✓ 1 bar/1
ata/1 atmosphere
• What is the relationship between my depth in water and the pressure? -✓✓ The
deeper you go in water, the more the pressure increases
Pressure is expressed as the weight of air
• What is the relationship between pressure, and the volume and the density of air?
-✓✓ As pressure increases, the gas volume decreases and the gas density increases
• If I take a volume of air from one depth to another depth, how much will the
volume and density change? -✓✓ Volume will be 1/ata#
Density will be ata#
• What 3 major body air spaces does increasing pressure affect as I descend? -✓✓
Ears, sinuses, mask
• What is a "squeeze"? -✓✓ The discomfort caused by pressure imbalance pulling
tissue into the air space
• What is "equalization"? -✓✓ The addition of air to your air spaces as you
descend
,• How do I equalize as I descend? -✓✓ For ears and sinuses, pinch your nose and
blow gently, or wiggle your jaw and swallow
For mask, blow into it with nose
• How often should I equalize? -✓✓ Every meter/few feet, BEFORE you feel
discomfort
• What should I do if I can't equalize? -✓✓ Stop your descent, signal problem and
point to your ear, ascend a bit, and try again
• What can happen if I don't or can't equalize gently and keep descending? -✓✓
Fluid can rupture the eardrum
Bruising around the face can occur
• Why does a congestion from a cold or allergy temporarily keep me from diving? -
✓✓ Congestion might block normal air flow, making equalization difficult or
impossible
• Why should I never dive with earplugs? -✓✓ They create air spaces that you can't
equalize
• What other body air spaces are affected by increasing pressure? How do I
equalize them? -✓✓ In filled teeth - go to a dentist
In a dry suit - learn from an instructor
Lungs - breathe normally and continuously
, • What is the most important rule in scuba diving? -✓✓ Breathe continuously and
never hold your breath
• What can happen if I don't follow the most important rule in scuba diving? -✓✓
Your lungs will over expand and rupture
• What is a "reverse block"? -✓✓ When expanding air becomes trapped in your
body air spaces as you ascend
• What should I do if I feel discomfort in my ears, sinuses, stomach, intestines, or
teeth while ascending? -✓✓ Stop your ascent and descend a meter/few feet to
reduce discomfort and give trapped air time to work its way out
• How does depth affect how long my air supply lasts? -✓✓ The deeper you are,
the more dense air you breathe, and the faster you use the air in your cylinder.
Compared to the surface, air supply lasts 1/#ata as long along with other factors
• What's the most efficient way to breathe dense air underwater? -✓✓ Take slow,
deep breaths
• How do I breathe to reduce anxiety when under stress? -✓✓ Do NOT breathe
faster - keep breathing slowly
• What are my 4 breathing rules as a scuba diver? -✓✓ 1. Breathe continuously and
never hold your breath
2. Breathe slowly and deeply
3. Don't allow yourself to get winded or out of breath
4. If faced with a problem, stop, and reduce anxiety by breathing slowly and deeply
Question and Answer (2026/2027) | 100%
Verified Answers
• What is the pressure change for each 10m/33ft of depth change? -✓✓ 1 bar/1
ata/1 atmosphere
• What is the relationship between my depth in water and the pressure? -✓✓ The
deeper you go in water, the more the pressure increases
Pressure is expressed as the weight of air
• What is the relationship between pressure, and the volume and the density of air?
-✓✓ As pressure increases, the gas volume decreases and the gas density increases
• If I take a volume of air from one depth to another depth, how much will the
volume and density change? -✓✓ Volume will be 1/ata#
Density will be ata#
• What 3 major body air spaces does increasing pressure affect as I descend? -✓✓
Ears, sinuses, mask
• What is a "squeeze"? -✓✓ The discomfort caused by pressure imbalance pulling
tissue into the air space
• What is "equalization"? -✓✓ The addition of air to your air spaces as you
descend
,• How do I equalize as I descend? -✓✓ For ears and sinuses, pinch your nose and
blow gently, or wiggle your jaw and swallow
For mask, blow into it with nose
• How often should I equalize? -✓✓ Every meter/few feet, BEFORE you feel
discomfort
• What should I do if I can't equalize? -✓✓ Stop your descent, signal problem and
point to your ear, ascend a bit, and try again
• What can happen if I don't or can't equalize gently and keep descending? -✓✓
Fluid can rupture the eardrum
Bruising around the face can occur
• Why does a congestion from a cold or allergy temporarily keep me from diving? -
✓✓ Congestion might block normal air flow, making equalization difficult or
impossible
• Why should I never dive with earplugs? -✓✓ They create air spaces that you can't
equalize
• What other body air spaces are affected by increasing pressure? How do I
equalize them? -✓✓ In filled teeth - go to a dentist
In a dry suit - learn from an instructor
Lungs - breathe normally and continuously
, • What is the most important rule in scuba diving? -✓✓ Breathe continuously and
never hold your breath
• What can happen if I don't follow the most important rule in scuba diving? -✓✓
Your lungs will over expand and rupture
• What is a "reverse block"? -✓✓ When expanding air becomes trapped in your
body air spaces as you ascend
• What should I do if I feel discomfort in my ears, sinuses, stomach, intestines, or
teeth while ascending? -✓✓ Stop your ascent and descend a meter/few feet to
reduce discomfort and give trapped air time to work its way out
• How does depth affect how long my air supply lasts? -✓✓ The deeper you are,
the more dense air you breathe, and the faster you use the air in your cylinder.
Compared to the surface, air supply lasts 1/#ata as long along with other factors
• What's the most efficient way to breathe dense air underwater? -✓✓ Take slow,
deep breaths
• How do I breathe to reduce anxiety when under stress? -✓✓ Do NOT breathe
faster - keep breathing slowly
• What are my 4 breathing rules as a scuba diver? -✓✓ 1. Breathe continuously and
never hold your breath
2. Breathe slowly and deeply
3. Don't allow yourself to get winded or out of breath
4. If faced with a problem, stop, and reduce anxiety by breathing slowly and deeply
