PADI OPEN WATER DIVER, FINAL
EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% PASS 2026/2027
1) If an object is neutrally buoyant (does not sink or float) in fresh water, the same object placed
into salt water would
A sink.
B either sink or float.
C do nothing.
D float. - ANS D float.
Salt water is heavier than fresh water because it has dissolved minerals in it. This means it
causes more upward force (buoyancy) on an object. An object that is neutrally buoyant in fresh
water would float in salt water because there is greater upward force.
See Being a Diver I - Buoyancy and Controlling Buoyancy.
2) I blow up a balloon, tie it off, and take it to the bottom of the swimming pool. What will
happen to the balloon and the air inside it?
A The balloon will get bigger and the air inside the balloon will be less dense (molecules move
further apart).
2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
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,B The balloon will get smaller and the air inside the balloon will be more dense (molecules
move closer together).
C The balloon will get bigger and the air inside the balloon will be more dense.
D The balloon will get smaller and the air inside the balloon will be less dense. - ANS B The
balloon will get smaller and the air inside the balloon will be more dense (molecules move
closer together).
As water pressure increases, the volume of an air space will decrease. This causes the density of
the air inside to increase and air molecules are pushed closer together. The balloon would get
smaller and the air density inside would be greater.
See Being a Diver I - Water Pressure and Air Volume Effects.
3) I turn a glass upside down, trap the air in it by putting it in water, and then I take the glass
down to 10 meters. The air space would
A become half the size it was at the surface.
B not change in size.
C become 1/3 the size it was at the surface.
D become 2/3 the size it was at the surface. - ANS A become half the size it was at the
surface.
At 10 meters, the pressure is 2 bar. An air volume taken to this depth from the surface would
decrease and become half the size.
See Being a Diver I - Water Pressure and Air Volume Effects.
4) If I am not able to equalize (clear) my body air spaces, it may be because I have
A seasickness.
B heart disease and high blood pressure.
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, C a cold, allergy or another medical problem.
D anxiety. - ANS C A cold, allergy or another medical problem.
A cold, or any congestion, can block air passages in your ears and sinuses, making equalization
difficult or impossible.
See Being a Diver I - The Effects of Increasing Pressure on Body Air Spaces.
5) If my ears or sinuses hurt while I am descending (going down), it usually means
A my air spaces are equalized.
B my mask strap is too tight.
C I am feeling a squeeze and need to equalize.
D my mask is too small. - ANS C I am feeling a squeeze and need to equalize.
Pain in your ears or sinuses means that they aren't equalized. Stop your descent and ascend
slightly to relieve pressure on your ears. Then attempt to equalize again. If you can't equalize,
end the dive.
See Being a Diver I - The Effects of Increasing Pressure on Body Air Spaces.
6) The best place for me to position an alternate air source is
A loose by my side so I can find it fast.
B in the triangle area formed by my chin and the lower corners of my rib cage.
C to the base of my cylinder.
D to the back of my BCD between my shoulder blades and waist. - ANS B In the triangle area
formed by my chin and the lower corners of my rib cage.
2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
3
EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% PASS 2026/2027
1) If an object is neutrally buoyant (does not sink or float) in fresh water, the same object placed
into salt water would
A sink.
B either sink or float.
C do nothing.
D float. - ANS D float.
Salt water is heavier than fresh water because it has dissolved minerals in it. This means it
causes more upward force (buoyancy) on an object. An object that is neutrally buoyant in fresh
water would float in salt water because there is greater upward force.
See Being a Diver I - Buoyancy and Controlling Buoyancy.
2) I blow up a balloon, tie it off, and take it to the bottom of the swimming pool. What will
happen to the balloon and the air inside it?
A The balloon will get bigger and the air inside the balloon will be less dense (molecules move
further apart).
2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
1
,B The balloon will get smaller and the air inside the balloon will be more dense (molecules
move closer together).
C The balloon will get bigger and the air inside the balloon will be more dense.
D The balloon will get smaller and the air inside the balloon will be less dense. - ANS B The
balloon will get smaller and the air inside the balloon will be more dense (molecules move
closer together).
As water pressure increases, the volume of an air space will decrease. This causes the density of
the air inside to increase and air molecules are pushed closer together. The balloon would get
smaller and the air density inside would be greater.
See Being a Diver I - Water Pressure and Air Volume Effects.
3) I turn a glass upside down, trap the air in it by putting it in water, and then I take the glass
down to 10 meters. The air space would
A become half the size it was at the surface.
B not change in size.
C become 1/3 the size it was at the surface.
D become 2/3 the size it was at the surface. - ANS A become half the size it was at the
surface.
At 10 meters, the pressure is 2 bar. An air volume taken to this depth from the surface would
decrease and become half the size.
See Being a Diver I - Water Pressure and Air Volume Effects.
4) If I am not able to equalize (clear) my body air spaces, it may be because I have
A seasickness.
B heart disease and high blood pressure.
2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
2
, C a cold, allergy or another medical problem.
D anxiety. - ANS C A cold, allergy or another medical problem.
A cold, or any congestion, can block air passages in your ears and sinuses, making equalization
difficult or impossible.
See Being a Diver I - The Effects of Increasing Pressure on Body Air Spaces.
5) If my ears or sinuses hurt while I am descending (going down), it usually means
A my air spaces are equalized.
B my mask strap is too tight.
C I am feeling a squeeze and need to equalize.
D my mask is too small. - ANS C I am feeling a squeeze and need to equalize.
Pain in your ears or sinuses means that they aren't equalized. Stop your descent and ascend
slightly to relieve pressure on your ears. Then attempt to equalize again. If you can't equalize,
end the dive.
See Being a Diver I - The Effects of Increasing Pressure on Body Air Spaces.
6) The best place for me to position an alternate air source is
A loose by my side so I can find it fast.
B in the triangle area formed by my chin and the lower corners of my rib cage.
C to the base of my cylinder.
D to the back of my BCD between my shoulder blades and waist. - ANS B In the triangle area
formed by my chin and the lower corners of my rib cage.
2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
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