Open Water 3 Flashcards
When dealing with a current, should you start the diving swimming into it?
No, start swimming against the current. Then it is easier on the way back to ride the current.
The deeper you go, temperature normally gets
Colder (though not always!)
Thermocline
Distinct layer of water of a very different temperature at a different depth
If a current carries you too far, how should you swim back?
Across the current (not straight into it)
Water temperature changes generally more frequently in fresh or salt water?
Freshwater
How should you enter the water from shore?
Walk in until deep enough to comfortably inflate BCD and put on fins
If fins need to be put on early at shore, how do you enter?
Walking backwards, looking over your shoulder
What determines how you enter and exit the water?
Bottom composition and natural life
What do waves breaking tell you about about the water?
Waves break in water only slightly deeper than their height. Hitting earth on the bottom makes the wave “tip over”
What do waves breaking offshore indicate?
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
What do you do if caught in a rip current?
Don’t panic or fight it. Swim parallel to shore or ride it out then swim back
What tide condition means best visibility?
High tide. Fresh water is cleaner than low tide that pulled lots of things off the shore
How to enter in mild surf?
- Watch the wave patterns
- Wait for a lull
- Quickly wade to deeper water
- Once at swimming depth, put on fins and swim out of surf asap
If wind has been blowing from shore, how does it affect the water?
Cooler and clearer
When entering in mild surf, how should you face waves?
Sideways
Which side of the board it Leeward vs Windward?
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
IF you hear the recall alarm (pounding on the boat ladder, underwater alarm, other noise) what do you do?
Leave the water safely
Boat considerations in dive planning
How will you get back onboard the boat?
Anything to know about current conditions/current direction?
Stay away from the boat’s propeller!
Just stay away from the boat’s propeller! That’s all
Ladder use when reentering boat
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
How does a swim line work?
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
Where should you stay in relation to the boat based on the current?
Upcurrent from the boat always. So when you return, the current takes you back to the boat
Four phases of dive planning
advance planning
preparation planning
last-minute preparation
predive planning.
Advance planning
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.
Preparation Planning
- Check your gear
- Check the weather
- Check with your buddy
Last-Minute Preparation
- Recheck weather, surf, and other conditions
- Tell an emergency contact what you’re up to and when you expect to be back
- Gather items you’ll want, like a jacket, sunscreen, lunch, etc
- Finish packing your gear bag. Put what you need first on top
- Double check everything
Predive Planning
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
How many surface signaling devices should you have?
At least 2
One audible, one visual
Common surface signaling devices
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
How close should you stay to a dive flag?
It varies by local guideline, but generally you should stay within 15m/50ft and boats should avoid by at minimum 30m/100ft
How do you do a back roll entry?
Partially inflate BCD
Tuck chin towards chest
Lean backward until you fall in
Signal OK
