Padi Scuba Flashcards
Why does a nail sink and a ship floats?
Buoyancy. An object is positively buoyant when it displaces more weight in water than its own weight.
How can you affect your buoyancy?
BCD, lead weight, breathing
If you descend to 10m/33ft, what is the pressure, air volume, and air density?
2 bar/ata and 1/2 air volume, x2 air density
What happens when you ascend from 30m/99ft to the surface?
Air volume quadruples.
What is the pressure, air volume, & density at 30m/99ft
4 bar/ata, 1/4, x4
Which air spaces are most effected by descent?
Ear, lungs, and mask
What is a squeeze?
When pressure outside airspace is greater than the pressure inside.
How do you avoid a squeeze?
Equalize the air space by adding air to the spaces as you descend (through throat for ears and through the nose for the mask).
How do you equalize your ears and sinuses?
Pinch your nose and gently blow and/or swallow and wiggle your jaw.
If you feel discomfort from a squeeze…
ascend a short way and try to equalize
If you can’t equalize…
discontinue the dive. Do not use medication or ear plugs.
What happens to the air in your lungs when you ascend?
It expands. Continue to breathe normally upon ascent.
What is the most important rule of scuba diving?
Breathe continuously and NEVER hold your breath. Otherwise lung expansion is the most serious injury possible.
What is a reverse block or reverse squeeze?
Pain from expanding air trapped in an air space on ascent. Avoid gassy foods. Uncommon.
The deeper you go, the (shorter OR longer) your air will last.
Shorter
Denser air is (harder OR easier) to breathe
Harder
Why do you need a mask?
In water everything is blurry, the mask provides an air space so our eyes can focus. A mask must cover your nose.
What size things should a scuba mask have?
Tempered glass, a comfortable feet, nose or finger pockets, low profile, adjustable locking strap, wide field of vision.
What are the most important selection features of a mask?
Fit and comfort.
How do you prepare a new mask?
Remove the protective chemical with a cleanser and adjust strap.
What are the three general procedures for maintaining scuba gear.
Rinse throughly with fresh water after every use, keep out of direct sunlight, store in cool, dry place.
What is the snorkel for?
Lets you rest with your face in the water. Easier breathing in rough conditions. Less tiring if you need to swim back.
What features should your snorkel have?
Large bore, not excessively long, smooth round bends.
How do you prepare the snorkel for use?
Attach to the left side of the mask.
What is a BCD?
Buoyancy Control Device.
What 5 features should you BCD have?
Proper size for ample buoyancy. Large diameter hose/valve, low pressure inflation system, over pressure relief, adjustable.
How should you adjust the BCD before use?
With the BCD deflated, adjust to fit snuggly. When fully inflated it shouldn’t feel restrictive.
In additional to regular gear maintenance, for a BCD you must also (2 things)
Rinse the inside and outside with fresh water. Store partially inflated.
What does a scuba tank do?
Stores high pressure air to use while diving.
What are the two types of valves?
K-valve (simple) and J-valve (warns you when you’re running out of air. Yoke valves and DIN valves are how you connect to the regularator.
Make sure to check for a ______ when setting up your regular and tank.
the o-ring to make the air tight seal.
What extra maintenance steps are there for tanks?
Open the valve to drain it. Close is all the way to with a few PSI left.
What does the regulator do?
Reduces the air pressure from your tank. Delivers air on demand when you breathe.
You can manually control the air flow on a regular with the ….
purge valve.
What is the most important feature when selecting a regulator?
Ease of breathing.
What’s an SPG and what does it do?
Submersible Pressure Gauge. Tells you how much air you have remaining. Must be checked frequently.
What additional maintenance steps are there for an SPG?
Don’t drop or bang it. Secure it so it doesn’t drag or snag.
What are three reasons to dive with a buddy at all times?
Assistance. Reminders. Emergency assistance. OR Practically. Safety. Fun.
How much more denser is water than air?
About 800 times more dense
What does refraction do to you vision?
It makes objects appear a third bigger.
What colors are lost first in water depth?
Red, Orange, Yellow
How does water affect sound?
It travels 4x faster in water. It’s difficult to tell where it comes from. Rap on your tank to get their attention.
How much faster does water conduct heat?
About 20 times faster so water chills you faster than air.
How can you tell you need to get out of the water immediately?
When you are uncontrollably shivering.
How do you conserve energy underwater?
Avoid jerky movements. Move slowly.
When swimming your body should be horizontal or angled?
Horizontal to eliminate drag.
How do you breathe efficiently while diving?
Take slow & deep breathes (to avoid the dead air in shallow spaces.)
What are the symptoms of overexertion?
Fatigue, labored breathing, suffocation, weakness, anxiety, headache, tendency to panic.
What should you do if you feel overexertion.
Stop and rest, hold an object for support, signal for help.
How do you breath past water?
Airway control. Inhale slowly if water enters. Inhale cautiously and slowly after clearing. Use tongue as a splash guard.
If you need to cough…
hold second stage regulator and cough into it.
Why use an exposure suit? (2 reasons)
To prevent heat loss and prevent scraps.
Wet suits are [more/less] buoyant the deeper you dive?
less
To avoid overheating…
Put suit on last. Keep hood off. Keep out of sun. Keep jacket unzipped. Cool off in water. Hydrate.
What does a weight system do?
To let you sink and offset positive buoyancy.
What is the most important feature on a weight system?
Quick release. Make sure to wear it outside of equipment so you can release it with one hand.
You need more weight in [cooler/warmer] water.
Cooler
How do you determine weight?
Enter water with all gear. With regulator in, deflate BCD and hold breath. Should float at eye level. Exhale and you should slowly descend. If you are using a full cylinder, add 5 lbs.