.//.//.,…//////////./././././.;;;../.;.//;./.;./;.;.;/
PADI Open Water Diver Study Guide
2026/2027 Latest Edition |
Comprehensive Exam Review |
Practice Questions & Detailed Answer
Explanations | Scuba Certification
Prep
If an object is neutrally buoyant in salt water, what will happen to the object if put into fresh
water?
The object will sink
A diver is 30 meters/99 feet underwater. The water pressure at this depth would be ____ times
more than the pressure at the surface.
Four
If I hold a glass full of air upside down, and I take it to the bottom of the swimming pool without
tipping it, the density (thickness) of the air inside the glass will be ____ at the surface?
greater than
What should I do if I can't equalize (clear) my ears or sinuses while I am descending (going
down)?
Stop and ascend a meter/few feet, and try to equalize again
,.//.//.,…//////////./././././.;;;../.;.//;./.;./;.;.;/
What should I do to prevent mask squeeze (a sucking or pulling feeling on my face and eyes)?
Blow into my mask through my mask
I put air into balloon underwater at 10 meters/33 feet and then I take it to the surface. The
balloon will ____
Expand (become larger) to twice the size
What can happen to me if I hold my breath while ascending on a scuba dive?
My lungs can over-expand, which could cause serious injury
What is the most important feature of a scuba regulator?
How easy it is to breath from
Diving is easier, safer, and more fun when I
dive with a buddy
When I look at things underwater they often seem ____ than when I look at them on the surface.
Nearer and larger
,.//.//.,…//////////./././././.;;;../.;.//;./.;./;.;.;/
Sound travels well in water, and it is difficult to tell
where the sound is coming from
If I get cold while diving and I can't stop shivering (shaking), what should I do?
Stop diving immediately, get out of the water, dry off, and change into something warm.
The dive will be easier, I will use less air and I will get less tired if I
move slowly and steadily
When breathing underwater while scuba diving, I should
Use airway to control and breath slowly, deeply, and continuously (always breath, never hold my
breath)
A properly fitting wet suit keeps me warm by
Reducing the amount of water moving in and out of my suit
If I experience overexertion, I should
stop all activity, signal my buddy and rest
If I am part of a three person dive buddy team and one of my buddies gets separated:
All three divers should enact the procedures for reunititng
, .//.//.,…//////////./././././.;;;../.;.//;./.;./;.;.;/
To control my buoyancy as I ascend after a dive, I should
Frequently release small amounts from my BCD
How can I stay with my buddy on a scuba dive?
Decide who will lead the dive, which side of the leader I will be on, and where we are going to
go
I should take a local area orientation dive whenever I
dive in a new place
How can I avoid disorientation (confusion) on a dive in either low visibility or very clear water?
Descend (go down) and ascend (go up) along the bottom or by using a reference line
Water movement, weather, and the suspended particles (floating silt) in the water affect
Underwater visibility
There is a mild current on my dive. Normally, I should begin my dive
swimming against or into the current
PADI Open Water Diver Study Guide
2026/2027 Latest Edition |
Comprehensive Exam Review |
Practice Questions & Detailed Answer
Explanations | Scuba Certification
Prep
If an object is neutrally buoyant in salt water, what will happen to the object if put into fresh
water?
The object will sink
A diver is 30 meters/99 feet underwater. The water pressure at this depth would be ____ times
more than the pressure at the surface.
Four
If I hold a glass full of air upside down, and I take it to the bottom of the swimming pool without
tipping it, the density (thickness) of the air inside the glass will be ____ at the surface?
greater than
What should I do if I can't equalize (clear) my ears or sinuses while I am descending (going
down)?
Stop and ascend a meter/few feet, and try to equalize again
,.//.//.,…//////////./././././.;;;../.;.//;./.;./;.;.;/
What should I do to prevent mask squeeze (a sucking or pulling feeling on my face and eyes)?
Blow into my mask through my mask
I put air into balloon underwater at 10 meters/33 feet and then I take it to the surface. The
balloon will ____
Expand (become larger) to twice the size
What can happen to me if I hold my breath while ascending on a scuba dive?
My lungs can over-expand, which could cause serious injury
What is the most important feature of a scuba regulator?
How easy it is to breath from
Diving is easier, safer, and more fun when I
dive with a buddy
When I look at things underwater they often seem ____ than when I look at them on the surface.
Nearer and larger
,.//.//.,…//////////./././././.;;;../.;.//;./.;./;.;.;/
Sound travels well in water, and it is difficult to tell
where the sound is coming from
If I get cold while diving and I can't stop shivering (shaking), what should I do?
Stop diving immediately, get out of the water, dry off, and change into something warm.
The dive will be easier, I will use less air and I will get less tired if I
move slowly and steadily
When breathing underwater while scuba diving, I should
Use airway to control and breath slowly, deeply, and continuously (always breath, never hold my
breath)
A properly fitting wet suit keeps me warm by
Reducing the amount of water moving in and out of my suit
If I experience overexertion, I should
stop all activity, signal my buddy and rest
If I am part of a three person dive buddy team and one of my buddies gets separated:
All three divers should enact the procedures for reunititng
, .//.//.,…//////////./././././.;;;../.;.//;./.;./;.;.;/
To control my buoyancy as I ascend after a dive, I should
Frequently release small amounts from my BCD
How can I stay with my buddy on a scuba dive?
Decide who will lead the dive, which side of the leader I will be on, and where we are going to
go
I should take a local area orientation dive whenever I
dive in a new place
How can I avoid disorientation (confusion) on a dive in either low visibility or very clear water?
Descend (go down) and ascend (go up) along the bottom or by using a reference line
Water movement, weather, and the suspended particles (floating silt) in the water affect
Underwater visibility
There is a mild current on my dive. Normally, I should begin my dive
swimming against or into the current
