SSI OPEN WATER DIVER CERTIFICATION
EXAMINATION 2026 BASIC SCUBA SKILLS
AND SAFETY COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE
AND SOLUTIONS
◉ The absolute pressure expressed in terms of atmospheres
absolute at 33 ft. in sea water is:
a) 1 ata
b) 3 ata
c) 2 ata
d) 4 ata
Answer: 2 ata
◉ Underwater, the bending of light rays causes objects to appear to
be:
,a) closer
b) the same as the surface
c) At an angle consistent with the bend of the light
d) Farther away
Answer: Closer
◉ If you experience pain in your ears during descent:
a) Place a finger in the ear canal and gently massage the ear until the
pain ceases.
b) Continue the descent while gently exhaling into the mask
c) Abort the dive
d) Stop the descent and ascend until the pain stops.
Answer: Stop the descent and ascend until the pain stops.
◉ Sinus squeeze can be prevented by:
,a) Not diving with a cold
b) Wearing earplugs
c) Tilting the divers head back and forth
d) The Valsalva technique
Answer: Not diving with a cold
◉ Ear squeeze can be prevented by:
a) Rotating the jaw, swallowing or Valsalva
b) All answers are correct
c) Never diving with a cold
d) Relaxing
Answer: All answers are correct
◉ The purpose of equalization is to:
, a) Remove all fluids from body air spaces
b) Introduce additional air into body air spaces in response to
increasing external pressure
c) Ensure the uneven application of pressure between the water and
air space in the body
d) Prevent water from entering air spaces in the body
Answer: Introduce additional air into body air spaces in response to
increasing external pressure
◉ Describing diving with the acronym SCUBA came from what
event?
a) The development of air pumps in the 19th century
b) The development of the demand regulator in 1943
c) Post-WWII equipment refinements
d) The invention of the diving helmet in circa 1800
EXAMINATION 2026 BASIC SCUBA SKILLS
AND SAFETY COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE
AND SOLUTIONS
◉ The absolute pressure expressed in terms of atmospheres
absolute at 33 ft. in sea water is:
a) 1 ata
b) 3 ata
c) 2 ata
d) 4 ata
Answer: 2 ata
◉ Underwater, the bending of light rays causes objects to appear to
be:
,a) closer
b) the same as the surface
c) At an angle consistent with the bend of the light
d) Farther away
Answer: Closer
◉ If you experience pain in your ears during descent:
a) Place a finger in the ear canal and gently massage the ear until the
pain ceases.
b) Continue the descent while gently exhaling into the mask
c) Abort the dive
d) Stop the descent and ascend until the pain stops.
Answer: Stop the descent and ascend until the pain stops.
◉ Sinus squeeze can be prevented by:
,a) Not diving with a cold
b) Wearing earplugs
c) Tilting the divers head back and forth
d) The Valsalva technique
Answer: Not diving with a cold
◉ Ear squeeze can be prevented by:
a) Rotating the jaw, swallowing or Valsalva
b) All answers are correct
c) Never diving with a cold
d) Relaxing
Answer: All answers are correct
◉ The purpose of equalization is to:
, a) Remove all fluids from body air spaces
b) Introduce additional air into body air spaces in response to
increasing external pressure
c) Ensure the uneven application of pressure between the water and
air space in the body
d) Prevent water from entering air spaces in the body
Answer: Introduce additional air into body air spaces in response to
increasing external pressure
◉ Describing diving with the acronym SCUBA came from what
event?
a) The development of air pumps in the 19th century
b) The development of the demand regulator in 1943
c) Post-WWII equipment refinements
d) The invention of the diving helmet in circa 1800
