Page |1
PADI Divemaster Course Chapter 6 Study Objectives/Self Assessments
Questions and Answers with Solutions
How do you set a dive float? - ANSWER You and the instructor
will time setting the float so that when you surface from setting
it, the class is in the water with the instructor and on the way to
you. Set them up, inflate before you get in the water (more
effective). Have a good idea where you will set it, considering
where divers will "land" and ANCHOR, AUGER, or CLIP the float,
but be cautious not to damage or disturb aquatic life and pay
attention to the anchor and line. Leave enough scope or reel to
account for currents, waves, tides, swells and rising tide.
What is the purpose of surface marker buoys and how do you
properly use the various types? - ANSWER Purpose:
*Marking boundaries for mapping
*Search and recovery
*Alerting boat traffic to the presence of divers
*So surface support or an instructor can track buddy teams or
groups (common in specialty courses)
*Provide a line as a visual reference for ascending divers
, Page |2
Types and How:
* Surface Marker Buoy - inflate and set before you start the
dive, be cautious when securing to avoid harming aquatic life,
when towing hold reel so you can release immediately if
necessary, don't attach it to your gear, keep tension on the line
and avoiding slack - pay attention to the line to avoid
entanglement of yourself or others
* Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMBs) -
have buoy and reel well stowed but accessible and ready for
deployment with minimal delay, hold buoy away from you and
others, keep line on the reel taut to avoid entanglement, inflate
orally or using a second stage or accessory inflator and maintain
tension on the line as it rises, deployed just before ascent
underwater, once it reaches the surface keep line taut so it
stands upright for max visibility
As a divemaster, what signaling and safety devices should you
carry and know how to use? - ANSWER Dive community
recommends that ALL divers carry at least two surface signaling
devices, not just certified assistants.
, Page |3
One audible: out of the way yet readily accessible in emergency,
most commonly located on BCD hose
*Whistles
*Air horns
One visual: divers usually carry more than one, keep where you
can get to them readily
*Signal tubes
*Surface marker buoys
*Inflatable signal tubes (many surface marker buoys double as
signal tubes)
*Strobes
Considerations when setting a dive float include: - ANSWER
Finding insensitive bottom for anchoring, accounting for
current/waves/tide, considering where divers descending the
line will "land", retrieving the float at the end of the dive or end
of the day.
A surface marker buoy may be used to mark the location of a
buddy team or group. - ANSWER True.
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PADI Standards require certified assistants to carry: - ANSWER
Both an audible and a visual signaling device.
What are the general steps for mapping a dive site, and what
elements do you include in a dive site map? - ANSWER 1.
Identify central point or place buoy from which to gather data
and determine map boundaries. Use point as a fixed reference
around which you will draw the map
2. Swim a large search pattern or series of patterns that cover
the area you're mapping away from the point (U-pattern and
straight-sided patterns that follow compass bearings)
3. Record survey data on slate, note compass heading of each
leg and measure distance as you travel (count kick cycles or use
a tape measure), record the depth of each feature you find and
it's distance on the pattern leg, determine the direct heading
and distance between key features
PADI Divemaster Course Chapter 6 Study Objectives/Self Assessments
Questions and Answers with Solutions
How do you set a dive float? - ANSWER You and the instructor
will time setting the float so that when you surface from setting
it, the class is in the water with the instructor and on the way to
you. Set them up, inflate before you get in the water (more
effective). Have a good idea where you will set it, considering
where divers will "land" and ANCHOR, AUGER, or CLIP the float,
but be cautious not to damage or disturb aquatic life and pay
attention to the anchor and line. Leave enough scope or reel to
account for currents, waves, tides, swells and rising tide.
What is the purpose of surface marker buoys and how do you
properly use the various types? - ANSWER Purpose:
*Marking boundaries for mapping
*Search and recovery
*Alerting boat traffic to the presence of divers
*So surface support or an instructor can track buddy teams or
groups (common in specialty courses)
*Provide a line as a visual reference for ascending divers
, Page |2
Types and How:
* Surface Marker Buoy - inflate and set before you start the
dive, be cautious when securing to avoid harming aquatic life,
when towing hold reel so you can release immediately if
necessary, don't attach it to your gear, keep tension on the line
and avoiding slack - pay attention to the line to avoid
entanglement of yourself or others
* Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMBs) -
have buoy and reel well stowed but accessible and ready for
deployment with minimal delay, hold buoy away from you and
others, keep line on the reel taut to avoid entanglement, inflate
orally or using a second stage or accessory inflator and maintain
tension on the line as it rises, deployed just before ascent
underwater, once it reaches the surface keep line taut so it
stands upright for max visibility
As a divemaster, what signaling and safety devices should you
carry and know how to use? - ANSWER Dive community
recommends that ALL divers carry at least two surface signaling
devices, not just certified assistants.
, Page |3
One audible: out of the way yet readily accessible in emergency,
most commonly located on BCD hose
*Whistles
*Air horns
One visual: divers usually carry more than one, keep where you
can get to them readily
*Signal tubes
*Surface marker buoys
*Inflatable signal tubes (many surface marker buoys double as
signal tubes)
*Strobes
Considerations when setting a dive float include: - ANSWER
Finding insensitive bottom for anchoring, accounting for
current/waves/tide, considering where divers descending the
line will "land", retrieving the float at the end of the dive or end
of the day.
A surface marker buoy may be used to mark the location of a
buddy team or group. - ANSWER True.
, Page |4
PADI Standards require certified assistants to carry: - ANSWER
Both an audible and a visual signaling device.
What are the general steps for mapping a dive site, and what
elements do you include in a dive site map? - ANSWER 1.
Identify central point or place buoy from which to gather data
and determine map boundaries. Use point as a fixed reference
around which you will draw the map
2. Swim a large search pattern or series of patterns that cover
the area you're mapping away from the point (U-pattern and
straight-sided patterns that follow compass bearings)
3. Record survey data on slate, note compass heading of each
leg and measure distance as you travel (count kick cycles or use
a tape measure), record the depth of each feature you find and
it's distance on the pattern leg, determine the direct heading
and distance between key features
