SDI Open Water UPDATED ACTUAL
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Describe all the steps to assemble a BCD and regulator to a scuba cylinder. - CORRECT
ANSWER - Spin the tank around so that the back of the valve is facing you. Place the
BCD band(s) over the top of the cylinder so that the back of the BCD is facing you. Raise or
lower the BCD so the top is even with the cylinder valve. Fasten the buckles. Remove dust cap,
hold first stage in left hand, rotate the chambers until the primary second stage sits on the right.
Screw the knob on your first stage until it is finger tight. Connect the low pressure inflator hose
to the stem on the BCD's inflator. Turn on the air.
How should you go about checking that your BCD is attached securely to your cylinder? -
CORRECT ANSWER - You lift up by the BCD and gently shake it.
What is the purpose of streamlining your hoses and accessories? - CORRECT ANSWER -
So they don't get tangled/ in the way.
Describe from the start to finish the steps to disassemble your scuba system. - CORRECT
ANSWER - 1. Remove accessories and weights
2. Decompress the system: Turn the valve knob completely clockwise. Decompress one of the
second gauges (purge button or the auto inflator button to vent air remaining in the hoses)
3. Detach the LP hose from the inflator assembly by pulling the collar back on the quick
disconnect. Unscrew the yoke knob until the first stage can slip off the top of the valve.
4. Undo the straps and remove the BCD from the cylinder.
5. Rinse off gear and fill and dump BCD
*Describe two important features of a weight system.* - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. To
weigh you down
2. You can use different weights
What should you do any time the second stage is out of your mouth? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Put the back up in your mouth then do either a sweep or reach technique to get
it back.
,Describe two ways to clear a flooded second stage. - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Depress
the purge button before inhaling.
2. Exhale into the mouthpiece.
What is the hand signal for out-of-air? - CORRECT ANSWER - Flat hand cut across your
neck
The thumbs up signal means "OK." True or False? - CORRECT ANSWER - False
Describe two different ways to indicate "OK". - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Pointer thumb
touch
2. Fist on your head
Describe how to perform a giant stride entry off a boat. - CORRECT ANSWER - Stand on
the edge of the dive platform, check the water below to make sure it is clear of other divers, put
your right hand over your mask and regulator and your left hand over your weight belt buckle,
stand straight, look directly ahead and take a big step out off the edge of the platform. Signal OK
if everything is alright.
Name four different water entries. - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Giant stride
2. Controlled sated
3. Back roll entry
4. Shore entry
Describe the two emergency out-of-air ascents. - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Signal out of
air
2. Remove regulator, exhale, reach for your buddy's alternate air source.
3. Put in your mouth, purge and breath exchanging "OK" and "Go up" hand signals.
4. Donor should hold onto the receiver's BCD shoulder strap as you slowly ascend together.
, 5. Orally inflate your BCD when you reach the surface.
1. Signal out of air
2. Donor grabs buddy, takes a breath, and gives buddy regulator.
3. Receiver purges and takes 2 breaths and passes it back.
4. Donor keeps hand on the hose and they both go up repeating steps 2-3.
How do you vent air from a BCD? - CORRECT ANSWER - By holding the end of your
inflator hose over your head and depressing the inflator button.
A properly weighted scuba diver should float at _____________ when her BCD is deflated and
lungs are fully inflated. - CORRECT ANSWER - eye level
How do you relieve a leg cramp? - CORRECT ANSWER - By grabbing your fin and
stretching it out or having a buddy do it for you.
What is the reciprocal of a 200-degree heading? - CORRECT ANSWER - 20-degrees
Define risk management. - CORRECT ANSWER - A means of preventing problems and
planning a response to any emergency that arises. The concept of risk management involves
planning ahead, employing good diving practices, and knowing what to do before an emergency
arises. Without a plan, a simple problem can quickly snowball into a full-blown emergency.
Why should you avoid consuming drugs or alcohol prior to a dive? - CORRECT
ANSWER - The use of alcohol and drugs greatly increases the risk of decompression
sickness in divers.
What elements should you and your buddy agree on before the dive? - CORRECT
ANSWER - A dive plan that contains ebjectives compromised by both divers.
Familiarizing yourselves with the dive site and conditions
Determining entry and exit points
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Describe all the steps to assemble a BCD and regulator to a scuba cylinder. - CORRECT
ANSWER - Spin the tank around so that the back of the valve is facing you. Place the
BCD band(s) over the top of the cylinder so that the back of the BCD is facing you. Raise or
lower the BCD so the top is even with the cylinder valve. Fasten the buckles. Remove dust cap,
hold first stage in left hand, rotate the chambers until the primary second stage sits on the right.
Screw the knob on your first stage until it is finger tight. Connect the low pressure inflator hose
to the stem on the BCD's inflator. Turn on the air.
How should you go about checking that your BCD is attached securely to your cylinder? -
CORRECT ANSWER - You lift up by the BCD and gently shake it.
What is the purpose of streamlining your hoses and accessories? - CORRECT ANSWER -
So they don't get tangled/ in the way.
Describe from the start to finish the steps to disassemble your scuba system. - CORRECT
ANSWER - 1. Remove accessories and weights
2. Decompress the system: Turn the valve knob completely clockwise. Decompress one of the
second gauges (purge button or the auto inflator button to vent air remaining in the hoses)
3. Detach the LP hose from the inflator assembly by pulling the collar back on the quick
disconnect. Unscrew the yoke knob until the first stage can slip off the top of the valve.
4. Undo the straps and remove the BCD from the cylinder.
5. Rinse off gear and fill and dump BCD
*Describe two important features of a weight system.* - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. To
weigh you down
2. You can use different weights
What should you do any time the second stage is out of your mouth? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Put the back up in your mouth then do either a sweep or reach technique to get
it back.
,Describe two ways to clear a flooded second stage. - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Depress
the purge button before inhaling.
2. Exhale into the mouthpiece.
What is the hand signal for out-of-air? - CORRECT ANSWER - Flat hand cut across your
neck
The thumbs up signal means "OK." True or False? - CORRECT ANSWER - False
Describe two different ways to indicate "OK". - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Pointer thumb
touch
2. Fist on your head
Describe how to perform a giant stride entry off a boat. - CORRECT ANSWER - Stand on
the edge of the dive platform, check the water below to make sure it is clear of other divers, put
your right hand over your mask and regulator and your left hand over your weight belt buckle,
stand straight, look directly ahead and take a big step out off the edge of the platform. Signal OK
if everything is alright.
Name four different water entries. - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Giant stride
2. Controlled sated
3. Back roll entry
4. Shore entry
Describe the two emergency out-of-air ascents. - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Signal out of
air
2. Remove regulator, exhale, reach for your buddy's alternate air source.
3. Put in your mouth, purge and breath exchanging "OK" and "Go up" hand signals.
4. Donor should hold onto the receiver's BCD shoulder strap as you slowly ascend together.
, 5. Orally inflate your BCD when you reach the surface.
1. Signal out of air
2. Donor grabs buddy, takes a breath, and gives buddy regulator.
3. Receiver purges and takes 2 breaths and passes it back.
4. Donor keeps hand on the hose and they both go up repeating steps 2-3.
How do you vent air from a BCD? - CORRECT ANSWER - By holding the end of your
inflator hose over your head and depressing the inflator button.
A properly weighted scuba diver should float at _____________ when her BCD is deflated and
lungs are fully inflated. - CORRECT ANSWER - eye level
How do you relieve a leg cramp? - CORRECT ANSWER - By grabbing your fin and
stretching it out or having a buddy do it for you.
What is the reciprocal of a 200-degree heading? - CORRECT ANSWER - 20-degrees
Define risk management. - CORRECT ANSWER - A means of preventing problems and
planning a response to any emergency that arises. The concept of risk management involves
planning ahead, employing good diving practices, and knowing what to do before an emergency
arises. Without a plan, a simple problem can quickly snowball into a full-blown emergency.
Why should you avoid consuming drugs or alcohol prior to a dive? - CORRECT
ANSWER - The use of alcohol and drugs greatly increases the risk of decompression
sickness in divers.
What elements should you and your buddy agree on before the dive? - CORRECT
ANSWER - A dive plan that contains ebjectives compromised by both divers.
Familiarizing yourselves with the dive site and conditions
Determining entry and exit points
