NAUI Scuba Diver (A)

Written Examination

Directions: This test includes 85 standard questions. There is only one correct answer per
question. Additional questions that are relevant to your geographic region or
your instructor's technical preference may be provided for you to answer. The
allotted time for the 85 questions is 1.5 hours. Please use the answer sheet
provided to record your answers. Use dark, solid circles to mark answers.
Do not mark on this exam. The exam is closed book/notes.

Equipment

1. When selecting a face mask, the most important thing to consider is:
a) Color.
b) That it has a purge valve.
c) Tempered glass.
d) Proper seal and fit.

2. Snorkels over 15 inches in length are not recommended primarily because:

a) They have too much dead air space.
b) They are likely to become tangled.
c) They are not economical to manufacture.
d) They are top-heavy and difficult to use.

3. When buying or renting equipment for diving, the most important consideration is:
a) Its cost.
b) Its fit on your body.
c) How recently it was developed.
d) Its durability.

4. When rinsing a regulator it is best to:

a) Leave the regulator attached to the tank or have the dust cap in place.
b) Depress the purge button several times.
c) Use ionized water.
d) Have the first stage lower than the second stage.

5. Diving equipment should be:

a) Rinsed thoroughly in fresh water and allowed to dry in the sun.
b) Rinsed thoroughly and sprayed with silicone preservative.
c) Rinsed thoroughly, dried and stored in a cool place.
d) Rinsed thoroughly in vinegar water and stored.

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6. Scuba tanks should always have some pressure in them to prevent:
a) Moisture from entering.
b) Drying out.
c) Rusting inside.
d) Metal fatigue.

7. According to the Department of Transportation regulations, scuba tanks must be hydrostatically tested
every:
a) 1 year.
b) 3 years.
c) 5 years.
d) 10 years.

8. Open heel fins are usually the fins of choice for scuba divers because:
a) They are less expensive than full foot fins.
b) They are always more comfortable than full foot fins.
c) They may be used in a wide variety of environmental conditions.
d) They have vented blades.

9. The primary purpose of the exposure suit is to:

a) Preserve body heat during dives.
b) Look good while diving.
c) Provide buoyancy during dives.
d) Prevent scrapes and cuts during dives.

10. Weighting systems are used by the diver primarily to:

a) Provide excess weighting for diving.
b) Offset the positive buoyancy created by the wet suit.
c) Compensate for the buoyancy compensator.
d) Offset the increasing pressure as the diver descends.

11. You should have your regulator serviced by a certified repair technician
a) once every five years
b) at least once per year
c) once, immediately after you buy it
d) once every ten years

12. The stage of the regulator which reduces tank pressure is:
a) The second stage.
b) The first stage.
c) The intermediate stage.
d) The alternate stage.

13. Two types of materials that scuba tanks are made from are steel and _________.
a) aluminum
b) titanium
c) stainless steel
d) graphite

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14. The _________ line is the direction of travel line on the compass.
a) index/tick mark
b) lubber
c) degree
d) descent

15. The dive knife is used primarily as a _________ for digging, cutting, pounding and prying.
a) weapon
b) file
c) tool
d) measure

16. Stamped (engraved) markings on scuba tanks include:

a) Serial number, name, rank.
b) Date of hydrostatic test, serial number, type of material.
c) Type of material, physical length, weight.
d) Visual inspection information, serial number, date of hydrostatic test.

Physics

17. Atmospheric pressure at sea level is:

a) 29.4 pounds per square inch/ 2.0 atmospheres absolute.
b) 14.7 pounds per square inch/1.0 atmosphere absolute.
c) 44.1 pounds per square inch/ 3.0 atmospheres absolute.
d) 58.8 pounds per square inch/ 4.0 atmospheres absolute.

18. A sealed balloon filled with air that has a volume of 6 cubic inches at 99 feet will have a volume of
____________ at 33 feet.
a) 3 cubic inches.
b) 9 cubic inches.
c) 12 cubic inches.
d) 24 cubic inches.

19. Sea water weighs:

a) 14.7 pounds per cubic foot.
b) 0.445 pounds per cubic foot.
c) 62.4 pounds per cubic foot.
d) 64.0 pounds per cubic foot.

20. Which gas law best explains diving medical problems such as ear and sinus squeeze?
a) Water density.
b) Dalton's law.
c) Charles' law.
d) Boyle's law.

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21. Because of refraction, objects underwater appear _________ and _________ when the diver is looking
through his/her mask.
a) smaller; closer
b) larger; closer
c) smaller; farther away
d) larger; farther away

22. When the pressure of nitrogen is balanced between the air and your body, you are at a state of
_______________.
a) ingassing
b) equilibrium
c) outgassing
d) panic

23. A diver's body heat is lost through conduction (primarily) at a rate of approximately
_________ times more rapidly than in air.
a) 10
b) 25
c) 30
d) 15

24. What type of pressure is defined as gauge (water) pressure plus atmospheric (air) pressure?
a) Water.
b) Absolute.
c) Air.
d) Over.

25. The absolute pressure in the ocean at 53 feet is:

a) 1.6 atmospheres absolute.
b) 2.6 atmospheres absolute.
c) 3.6 atmospheres absolute.
d) 3.0 atmospheres absolute.

26. If a diver's surface air consumption rate is 25 psi per minute, what would be the consumption
rate at 66 feet of seawater?
a) 75 psi per minute.
b) 80 psi per minute.
c) 60 psi per minute.
d) 50 psi per minute.

27. A depth that is equivalent to one atmosphere in the ocean is equal to _________ feet in sea
water and _________ feet in fresh water.
a) 34; 33
b) 33; 34
c) 35; 33
d) 33; 33

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28. Two methods of measuring air pressure are BAR or
a) quadratic feet per minute
b) static pounds per minute
c) pounds per square inch
d) running pressure per minute

29. Sound travels about _________ times faster in water than in air.
a) 2
b) 4
c) 6
d) 8

30. The first color lost in the spectrum upon descent during a dive is _________ .
a) yellow
b) red
c) orange
d) blue

Medicine and Physiology

31. Pressure in the middle ear is equalized through a part of the body called the:
a) Vascular canal.
b) Intravascular tube.
c) Eustachian tube.
d) Semi-circular canal.

32. Breathing dry air, a scuba diver tends to become dehydrated while diving due to:
a) Excessive perspiration.
b) Moisturizing dry inhaled air.
c) Saltwater absorbing moisture from the skin.
d) The extreme amount of energy expended during a dive.

33. Symptoms of Nitrogen Narcosis are similar to:

a) Caisson's disease.
b) Asphyxia.
c) Diver's disease.
d) Alcoholic intoxication.

34. A diver's inability to equalize his/her ears during ascent could cause:
a) Sinusitis.
b) A block or reverse block.
c) Internal ear squeeze.
d) External ear squeeze.

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35. An irregular breathing pattern (skip breathing) while diving will possibly cause:
a) Anorexia nervosa.
b) Carbon dioxide excess.
c) Asphyxia.
d) Pneumothorax.

36. Generally, for maximum efficiency, your breathing should be

a) slightly faster and shallower than you normally breathe
b) the same as you normally breathe
c) slightly slower and shallower than you normally breathe
d) slightly slower and deeper than you normally breathe

37. To prevent air embolism, a diver should:

a) Breathe 100 percent oxygen during scuba dives.
b) Decompress correctly.
c) Breathe compressed air only.
d) Breathe normally at all times during ascent and never hold his/her breath.

38. A diver with blood and mucous in his/her mask upon surfacing will most likely have:
a) Lung squeeze.
b) Ear squeeze.
c) Sinus squeeze.
d) Air embolism.

39. If your dive buddy complains to you about having aching pain in his/her shoulder one hour
after the dive, you might suspect:
a) Arterial gas embolism.
b) Decompression sickness.
c) Nitrogen narcosis.
d) Hypothermia.

40. A Symptom of carbon monoxide poisoning is often:

a) Mental sharpness.
b) Elevated mood.
c) Exhilaration.
d) Headache.

41. The following rate of ascent for diving is acceptable when using the USN/NAUI dive tables:
a) 90 feet per minute.
b) 30 feet per minute.
c) 70 feet per minute.
d) 60 feet per minute.

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Environment

42. Which of the following is the point at which a sudden change in water temperature occurs?
a) A pinnacle.
b) A thermocline.
c) A halocline.
d) An upwelling.

43. Currents which suddenly appear and disappear are

a) standing
b) tidal
c) transitory
d) none of the above

44. __________________is the underwater movement of water caused by wave action that you
will experience when diving in areas close to shore.
a) surf
b) tide
c) tidal current
d) surge

45. The predictable daily rise and fall of the ocean at a single point is called:
a) Surge.
b) The tide.
c) A thermocline.
d) A halocline.

46. Most surface waves are caused by :

a) Earthquakes.
b) Upwellings.
c) Wind.
d) Thermoclines.

47. Examples of natural navigation aids divers may use during dives include:
a) Ripple marks in the sand.
b) Sun brightness/available light.
c) Bottom contours.
d) All of the above.

48. Almost all injuries from aquatic life are caused by _________ action on the part of the animal.
a) defensive
b) offensive
c) aggressive
d) planned

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49. To render first aid for venomous fish wounds:
a) Flush the wound to clean, soak in hot water, obtain medical attention.
b) Flush the wound to clean, transport to a medical facility.
c) Remove the stinger, soak in cool water, treat for shock.
d) Leave the spine in place, treat for shock, transport to medical facility.

50. The first aid for sea stings, such as those from jellyfish is:
a) The application of a stinging neutralizing agent.
b) Applying a tourniquet.
c) Wrapping the injured site tightly with a bandage.
d) To do nothing.

Decompression and Dive Tables

*** Use the NAUI Dive Tables to answer the following questions.

51. A diver with a group letter of "F" making a dive to 60 ft. has a residual nitrogen time of:
a) 47 minutes.
b) 36 minutes.
c) 19 minutes.
d) 30 minutes.

52. It is advisable that a sport/recreational diver:

a) Make few decompression dives.
b) Make decompression dives if he/she feels psychologically prepared.
c) Avoid decompression dives.
d) Execute decompression dives when a hyperbaric chamber is nearby.

53. For optimum no-decompression bottom times, plan repetitive dives so that each successive dive is to
_________ depth.
a) a deeper
b) the same
c) a shallower
d) equal

54. The maximum dive time for a dive to 60 ft is _________ minutes.

a) no limit
b) 55
c) 60
d) 100

55. The minimum surface interval required to avoid stage decompression after a dive to 88 ft for 18
minutes, followed by a dive to 78 ft for 23 minutes is:
a) 46 minutes.
b) 1 hr, 30 minutes.
c) 2 hr, 29 minutes.
d) 3 hr, 58 minutes.

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56. According to NAUI, a repetitive dive is defined as more than one dive within a period of _________
hours.
a) 6
b) 12
c) 18
d) 24

57. The minimum surface interval recommended between two dives is _________ minutes.
a) 30
b) 60
c) 180
d) 240

58. Your first dive is to 60 ft for 50 minutes. You spend one hour and 40 minutes on the surface, what is
your adjusted maximum dive time at 60 ft?
a) 36 minutes.
b) 19 minutes.
c) 60 minutes.
d) 30 minutes.

59. A buddy team in a NAUI Master Scuba Diver Course makes an ocean dive to 95 feet for 20
minutes. After a surface interval of 2 hours and 35 minutes, they make a repetitive dive to 70
feet for 24 minutes. They remain on the surface for 2 hours and 51 minutes before diving to 45
feet. What is their adjusted maximum dive time for the third dive?
a) 29 minutes.
b) 51 minutes.
c) 42 minutes.
d) 59 minutes.

60. According to the NAUI dive tables dives to less than 40 feet:
a) Have unlimited no-decompression time.
b) Are considered as 40 foot dives.
c) Are not counted in the dive profile at all.
d) Are added to the previous dive in computing bottom time .

Skills And Rescue

61. Appropriate first aid measures for an unconscious scuba diver should include consideration of:
a) Drowning, secondary drowning and pulmonary edema.
b) Decompression sickness with central nervous system involvement.
c) Air embolism, decompression sickness or head injury.
d) Drowning, air embolism and decompression sickness.

62. Four main actions you should consider in giving first aid for diving accidents are:
a) Give mouth-to-mouth, call the Coast Guard, keep victim warm, talk to them.
b) Treat for shock, call a lifeguard, deliver 100% oxygen, give liquids.
c) Maintain basic life support, call for help, treat for shock, deliver 100% oxygen.
d) Tilt victim's feet up at 50 degrees, deliver oxygen, call a doctor, encourage victim.

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63. Which of the following will help to prevent seasickness?
a) greasy foods
b) settle yourself in a midway point of the boat
c) do not look at the horizon
d) settle yourself in the boat’s head (bathroom)

64. The preferred action to take if you find yourself alone and out of air at 30 feet in open water is:
a) Emergency swimming ascent.
b) Buddy-breathing ascent.
c) Octopus-breathing ascent.
d) Weight-dropping buoyant ascent.

65. If you are diving wearing an exposure suit, you should _________to safely control buoyancy as you
descend.
a) do nothing
b) add air to your buoyancy device
c) let air out of your buoyancy device
d) add weight to your weight belt

66. Which of the following limits should be established prior to every scuba dive?
a) Maximum bottom time, average depth, minimum air pressure.
b) Maximum bottom time, maximum depth, minimum air pressure.
c) Maximum swim distance, maximum bottom time, minimum air pressure.
d) Maximum swim distance, maximum depth, maximum residual nitrogen.

67. Which of the following physical factors can make you incapable of sustaining the efforts sometimes
demanded when participating in recreational diving?
a) Inadequate sleep.
b) A recent head cold.
c) Recent ingestion of drugs (medicine, alcohol, narcotics).
d) All of the above.

68. Which of the following most readily provides assistance to a diver?

a) Beach-based rescue personnel.
b) Instructors and divemasters.
c) Safety divers on kickboards or surfmats.
d) The diving buddy.

69. A diver experiencing panic should

a) ascend immediately
b) stop, rest and breathe slowly and deeply until you recover
c) descend and continue the dive
d) swim at maximum pace toward the beach or boat

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70. Which is the most effective way to descend while maintaining orientation and attempting equalization
of the ears?
a) Head first.
b) Feet first.
c) Horizontally.
d) It does not matter how you descend.

71. Continued loss of body heat in cold water will produce:

a) Muscle cramps.
b) Progressive immobility.
c) Insensibility to pain.
d) All of the above.

72. Physical fitness is an important consideration for scuba divers because it helps to prevent diving
accidents due to:
a) Euphoria.
b) Exhaustion.
c) Bends .
d) Air embolism.

73. When conducting a buoyancy check, neutral buoyancy or proper weighting is attained when, with a
normal breath, you float at or near:
a) Waist level.
b) Shoulder level.
c) Eye level.
d) Sink slowly.

74. ______________ is a worldwide emergency network of hyperbaric chambers and diving

physicians.
a) Coast Guard
b) Divers Alert Network (DAN)
c) National Oceanic & Atmospheric Association (NOAA)
d) Sierra Club

75. It is recommended that a dive team diving from an anchored boat have
a) matching gear
b) high anxiety and small physical size
c) insensibility to pain
d) a trail line 30 meters long with a buoy at the end

76. It is recommended that a dive team diving from an anchored boat begin their dive:
a) With the prevailing current.
b) At low tide.
c) Against the prevailing current.
d) With positive buoyancy.

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77. If during a dive you and your buddy become separated, you should:
a) Return to where you last saw him and search.
b) Go up a few feet and search until you locate his exhaust bubbles.
c) Remain where you are until he finds you.
d) Spend no more than one minute looking and then surface.

78. To relieve a cramp in the calf:

a) Relax the leg to relax the muscle.
b) Bend the toe of the fin toward the knee to stretch the muscle.
c) Point the toe to flex the muscle.
d) Kick harder to exercise the muscle.

79. A diver on the surface waving his/her hand overhead and thrashing violently indicates:
a) Distress.
b) Danger.
c) Out of air.
d) Euphoria.

80. Immediately upon reaching the dive site, you should:

a) Check your equipment.
b) Suit up.
c) Discuss the dive plan with your buddy.
d) Observe conditions.

81. Completing this entry level scuba certification course makes you knowledgeable and skillful enough to
dive safely in or at:
a) Closed compartments in shipwrecks.
b) Open water with conditions similar to those in which you were trained.
c) Open water deeper than 100 feet.
d) Anywhere.

82. If you receive your entry level training in the surf off California and then move to Boston, the best way
of becoming familiar with the diving procedures specific to Boston and the east coast area is to:
a) Get a guide book, study it and dive as it recommends.
b) Find a local basic diver, plan dives together and perform thorough buddy checks.
c) Contact an active, preferably NAUI, instructor in Boston and dive with him or her.
d) Research dive magazines, especially local ones, go on a dive boat and dive with someone on the
boat.

83. When planning and executing a dive, it is important for diving buddies to:
a) Wear matching equipment.
b) Have the same certification level.
c) Agree on a dive leader.
d) Practice emergency swimming ascents.

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84. The last thing to check before making a giant stride or any water entry is that:
a) Air supply is on.
b) Area below is clear.
c) Mask is on.
d) Fins are on.

85. If it is suspected that the air in a tank is contaminated due to its smell or taste:
a) Do not use the tank and immediately call the dive shop that filled the tank so they can
investigate the problem.
b) Have your buddy keep a close watch on you throughout the dive.
c) Immediately call the dive shop that filled the tank and check on the compressor
maintenance schedule before using the tank.
d) Go ahead and use the tank at depths of less than 30 feet.

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