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AWLS STUDY 2025 EXAM BRAND NEW
ACTUAL EXAM WITH ANSWERS.
TRUE/FALSE: filters impregnated with halogens are very effective
at killing viruses - correct answer -false
Which one CANNOT hinder halogen disinfection of water?
a.) adding ascorbic acid or flavored drink mix before adding the
halogen
b.) cole water temp
c.) halving the recommended dose
d.) using chemicals before the expiration date
e.) visible particles in clear water - correct answer -d.) using
chemicals before the expiration date
TRUE/FALSE: use of iodine is safe for someone with a pre-
existing thyroid condition if it is well-controlled with medication -
correct answer -false
Which is the best method for water disinfection?
a.) boiling water for 1 min
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b.) chemical halogenation that properly follows directions
c.) water filtration with 0.2 micron absolute pore size
d.) UV irradiation or chlorine dioxide
e.) it depends on the particular location & group - correct answer -
e.) it depends on the particular location & group
TRUE/ FALSE: one can effectively reduce the risk of diarrheal
illness in the backcountry by properly cleaning hands after
urinating or defecating - correct answer -true
During initial open water SCUBA training a student panics & bolts
to the surface. He is found floating on his back, unconscious but
breathing. Likely diagnosis?
a.) shallow water blackout
b.) panic induced nonfatal drowning
c.) CNS decompression sickness
d.) cerebral arterial gas embolism - correct answer -d.) cerebral
arterial gas embolism
An otherwise healthy SCUBA diver is making an initial descent to
a reef & develops moderate pain in right ear at depth of 6 ft. He is
unable to equalize/clear his ear by moving his jaw back & forth.
Best course of action?
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a.) maintain current depth & clear ears using forceful Valsalva
maneuver.
b.) abort the dive until decongestants or topical nasal spray can
be taken
c.) ascend until able to equalize then resume descent with
frequent clearing
d.) continue descent at a slower rate since pain will resolve
spontaneously at greater depth - correct answer -c.) ascend until
able to equalize then resume descent with frequent clearing
When a diver descends from the surface to 33 ft below seawater,
the volume of his lungs is what fraction of the surface volume?
a.) 2/3
b.) 1/2
c.) 1/3
d.) 1/4 - correct answer -b.) 1/2
Which of the following medical conditions is an absolute
contraindication to diving?
a.) Hx of spontaneous pneumothorax
b.) Type 1 diabetes mellitus
c.) Hx of MI
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d.) A-fib on anti-coags - correct answer -a.) Hx of spontaneous
pneumothorax
As a diver descends from a depth of 100 to 200 ft, the increased
partial pressure of which of the following gases is most likely to
result in lightheadedness, euphoria, poor judgement & impaired
reasoning?
a.) oxygen
b.) nitrogen
c.) helium
d.) CO2 - correct answer -b.) nitrogen
Which statement about decompression sickness in SCUBA divers
is correct?
a.) MC form of DCS primarily affects the CNS
b.) Musculoskeletal DCS most commonly affects knees & ankles
c.) DCS can be effectively ruled out if a diver remained within the
"no decompression" limits
d.) spinal cord DCS most commonly affects lower thoracic &
lumbosacral cord - correct answer -d.) spinal cord DCS most
commonly affects lower thoracic & lumbosacral cord
AWLS STUDY 2025 EXAM BRAND NEW
ACTUAL EXAM WITH ANSWERS.
TRUE/FALSE: filters impregnated with halogens are very effective
at killing viruses - correct answer -false
Which one CANNOT hinder halogen disinfection of water?
a.) adding ascorbic acid or flavored drink mix before adding the
halogen
b.) cole water temp
c.) halving the recommended dose
d.) using chemicals before the expiration date
e.) visible particles in clear water - correct answer -d.) using
chemicals before the expiration date
TRUE/FALSE: use of iodine is safe for someone with a pre-
existing thyroid condition if it is well-controlled with medication -
correct answer -false
Which is the best method for water disinfection?
a.) boiling water for 1 min
, Page | 2
b.) chemical halogenation that properly follows directions
c.) water filtration with 0.2 micron absolute pore size
d.) UV irradiation or chlorine dioxide
e.) it depends on the particular location & group - correct answer -
e.) it depends on the particular location & group
TRUE/ FALSE: one can effectively reduce the risk of diarrheal
illness in the backcountry by properly cleaning hands after
urinating or defecating - correct answer -true
During initial open water SCUBA training a student panics & bolts
to the surface. He is found floating on his back, unconscious but
breathing. Likely diagnosis?
a.) shallow water blackout
b.) panic induced nonfatal drowning
c.) CNS decompression sickness
d.) cerebral arterial gas embolism - correct answer -d.) cerebral
arterial gas embolism
An otherwise healthy SCUBA diver is making an initial descent to
a reef & develops moderate pain in right ear at depth of 6 ft. He is
unable to equalize/clear his ear by moving his jaw back & forth.
Best course of action?
, Page | 3
a.) maintain current depth & clear ears using forceful Valsalva
maneuver.
b.) abort the dive until decongestants or topical nasal spray can
be taken
c.) ascend until able to equalize then resume descent with
frequent clearing
d.) continue descent at a slower rate since pain will resolve
spontaneously at greater depth - correct answer -c.) ascend until
able to equalize then resume descent with frequent clearing
When a diver descends from the surface to 33 ft below seawater,
the volume of his lungs is what fraction of the surface volume?
a.) 2/3
b.) 1/2
c.) 1/3
d.) 1/4 - correct answer -b.) 1/2
Which of the following medical conditions is an absolute
contraindication to diving?
a.) Hx of spontaneous pneumothorax
b.) Type 1 diabetes mellitus
c.) Hx of MI
, Page | 4
d.) A-fib on anti-coags - correct answer -a.) Hx of spontaneous
pneumothorax
As a diver descends from a depth of 100 to 200 ft, the increased
partial pressure of which of the following gases is most likely to
result in lightheadedness, euphoria, poor judgement & impaired
reasoning?
a.) oxygen
b.) nitrogen
c.) helium
d.) CO2 - correct answer -b.) nitrogen
Which statement about decompression sickness in SCUBA divers
is correct?
a.) MC form of DCS primarily affects the CNS
b.) Musculoskeletal DCS most commonly affects knees & ankles
c.) DCS can be effectively ruled out if a diver remained within the
"no decompression" limits
d.) spinal cord DCS most commonly affects lower thoracic &
lumbosacral cord - correct answer -d.) spinal cord DCS most
commonly affects lower thoracic & lumbosacral cord
