Open Water 3

Question 1

When dealing with a current, should you start the diving swimming into it?

Answer 1

No, start swimming against the current. Then it is easier on the way back to ride the current.

Question 2

The deeper you go, temperature normally gets

Answer 2

Colder (though not always!)

Question 3

Thermocline

Answer 3

Distinct layer of water of a very different temperature at a different depth

Question 4

If a current carries you too far, how should you swim back?

Answer 4

Across the current (not straight into it)

Question 5

Water temperature changes generally more frequently in fresh or salt water?

Answer 5

Freshwater

Question 6

How should you enter the water from shore?

Answer 6

Walk in until deep enough to comfortably inflate BCD and put on fins

Question 7

If fins need to be put on early at shore, how do you enter?

Answer 7

Walking backwards, looking over your shoulder

Question 8

What determines how you enter and exit the water?

Answer 8

Bottom composition and natural life

Question 9

What do waves breaking tell you about about the water?

Answer 9

Waves break in water only slightly deeper than their height. Hitting earth on the bottom makes the wave “tip over”

Question 10

What do waves breaking offshore indicate?

Answer 10

A shallow reef, sandbar, or wreck. If they reform and break again it means there’s a brief dip, so potentially a channel or rip current

Question 11

What do you do if caught in a rip current?

Answer 11

Don’t panic or fight it. Swim parallel to shore or ride it out then swim back

Question 12

What tide condition means best visibility?

Answer 12

High tide. Fresh water is cleaner than low tide that pulled lots of things off the shore

Question 13

How to enter in mild surf?

Answer 13

1. Watch the wave patterns
2. Wait for a lull
3. Quickly wade to deeper water
4. Once at swimming depth, put on fins and swim out of surf asap

Question 14

If wind has been blowing from shore, how does it affect the water?

Answer 14

Cooler and clearer

Question 15

When entering in mild surf, how should you face waves?

Answer 15

Sideways

Question 16

Which side of the board it Leeward vs Windward?

Answer 16

Leeward - wind at back if you’re facing off the edge towards the water
Windward - wind is coming at your front if you’re looking off the edge

Question 17

IF you hear the recall alarm (pounding on the boat ladder, underwater alarm, other noise) what do you do?

Answer 17

Leave the water safely

Question 18

Boat considerations in dive planning

Answer 18

How will you get back onboard the boat?

Anything to know about current conditions/current direction?

Question 19

Stay away from the boat’s propeller!

Answer 19

Just stay away from the boat’s propeller! That’s all

Question 20

Ladder use when reentering boat

Answer 20

Never more than 1 person on a ladder at a time, in case they slip
Take off your fins before the ladder, everything else can stay on
Breathe from regulator and keep mask on until all the way on

Question 21

How does a swim line work?

Answer 21

You might use it when there’s a current to hand-over-hand pull yourself from the trail line at the end of the boat to the anchor line to descend with

Question 22

Where should you stay in relation to the boat based on the current?

Answer 22

Upcurrent from the boat always. So when you return, the current takes you back to the boat

Question 23

Four phases of dive planning

Answer 23

advance planning
preparation planning
last-minute preparation
predive planning.

Question 24

Advance planning

Answer 24

Deciding on which buddy(ies) and/or dive operator (boat, resort, etc.) to dive with.
Choosing a dive site.
- Initially, this may be general, with a specific site chosen later.
- It may also be very specific if required for your dive objective.
Agreeing on an objective (i.e., what you want to do on the dive).
Scheduling logistics – where and when you will meet, get in the water, etc
Checking dive conditions, as well as weather, wave and surf information, conditions, etc., at PADI Club® and other online sources, as well as a local dive operator.

Question 25

Preparation Planning

Answer 25

• Check your gear
• Check the weather
• Check with your buddy

Question 26

Last-Minute Preparation

Answer 26

1. Recheck weather, surf, and other conditions
2. Tell an emergency contact what you’re up to and when you expect to be back
3. Gather items you’ll want, like a jacket, sunscreen, lunch, etc
4. Finish packing your gear bag. Put what you need first on top
5. Double check everything

Question 27

Predive Planning

Answer 27

Setting the actual dive plan
Use the PADI checklist
Decide if conditions are good, entry techniques, when to turn the dive, when to exit
Review signals
-Agree on separation protocols
-Discuss how to handle emergencies

Question 28

How many surface signaling devices should you have?

Answer 28

At least 2

One audible, one visual

Question 29

Common surface signaling devices

Answer 29

Whistles
Low pressure horn (uses air from your cylinder)
Inflatable signal tube
Signal mirrors
Delayed Surface Market Buoys (like an inflatable signal tube but released from the bottom)
Signal lights/flashers

Question 30

How close should you stay to a dive flag?

Answer 30

It varies by local guideline, but generally you should stay within 15m/50ft and boats should avoid by at minimum 30m/100ft

Question 31

How do you do a back roll entry?

Answer 31

Partially inflate BCD
Tuck chin towards chest
Lean backward until you fall in
Signal OK