DKW 4 GenSkills

Section Four: General Skills 4-1

Section FourGeneral Skills and the Diving EnvironmentAlthough this workbook is devoted to developing your knowledge, most of what a diver does involves skills. For example, underwater navigation, communications, buoyancy control, rescue techniques and out-of-air emergencies are only some of the variety of skills and procedures a competent diver must master.

In addition, diving takes place in an environment completely different from what we know as land dwellers. This too requires special knowledge. As a diver you must understand the dynamics of the aquatic realm — the cause and effect of tides, currents, etc. And you must possess a knowledge of the inhabitants who populate the underwater world. Most importantly, you must know how to dive in a way that minimizes your impact on the delicate environment on which we all depend.

It is the purpose of this section to acquaint you with these two important areas of knowledge — proper diving skills and the underwater environment. With this knowledge you will become a better diver by becoming a more responsible diver.

Objective 4.1Explain the proper procedure for executing a Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent.

Resources:• PADI Open Water Diver Manual, Chapter Three, under the heading “Confined

Water Dive Preview - Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent”

Exercises:1. When making a Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent (CESA) the diver should

__________________________ to avoid a lung-expansion injury.

a. exhale forcefully

b. exhale lightly

c. exhale, making a continuous “ah” sound

d. “blow and go”

4-2 Diving Knowledge Workbook

2. When making a Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent, the diver should do which of the following in terms of his equipment?

a. Ditch his weight belt and remove his regulator mouthpiece.

b. Ditch his weight belt but retain his regulator mouthpiece.

c. Keep all equipment in place and retain his regulator.

d. Remove or retain what ever makes the ascent the easiest.

3. When making a Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent, what should the diver do regarding his ascent rate?

a. Ascend at whatever rate is comfortable.

b. Because this is an emergency, ascend as fast as possible.

c. Ascend no faster than his slowest air bubbles.

d. Maintain a normal ascent rate (not in excess of 18 metres/60 feet per minute).

Objective 4.2Define the term “neutral buoyancy” and describe how to execute a buoyancy check at the surface.

Resources• PADI Open Water Diver Manual, Chapter Two, under the heading “Weight Systems”

• Adventures in Diving manual, Section Ten, Peak Performance Buoyancy

Exercises:1. Divers should always wear an amount of weight equal to 10% of their body weight plus

1 kilogram/3 pounds.

True False

2. What technique can a diver use to quickly determine proper weighting while still at the surface?


Objective 4.3Demonstrate and explain the meaning of the 25 common hand signals.

Resources:• PADI Open Water Diver Manual, Chapter Two, under the heading of the “Buddy

System: Communication and Procedures” and “Chapter Three, under the heading “Underwater Problem Management”

Exercises:1. A clenched fist brought toward the chest is a signal for:

a. “I am out of air”

b. “I am out of air and want to buddy breathe.”

c. “I am low on air”

d. “I am low on air and want to use your alternate air source.”

2. Your buddy gives you a “cut throat” sign followed by pointing to his mouth. What action should you take in this circumstance?

a. Immediately begin buddy breathing.

b. Immediately provide your alternate air source to him.

c. Check his SPG, then begin buddy breathing. If he experiences problems, then provide your alternate air source.

d. Check the depth — if it is 12 metres/40 feet or less, signal him to make an emergency swimming ascent.

3. You suddenly run out of air at 18 metres/60 feet. You notice your buddy is approximately 6 metres/20 feet away and not paying attention to you. What action should you take in this circumstance?

a. Swim to your buddy, get his attention and signal that you are out of air.

b. Swim to your buddy and immediately locate and secure his alternate air source, then signal you are out of air.

c. Make a Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent.

d. Make a Buoyant Emergency Swimming Ascent.


Objective 4.4List at least 2 factors which dictate the type of pattern to be used when searching for an underwater object.

Resources:• Adventures in Diving manual, Section 11, under the heading “Search and

Recovery Diving”

Exercises:1. List 2 factors that determine the type of pattern to be used when conducting an

underwater search.

a.

b.

2. When working close to a shoreline, what 2 naturally occurring phenomena can be used as aids to navigation?

a.

b.

Objective 4.5State the most accurate means of measuring distance underwater without the use of a calibrated measuring device.

Resources:• Adventures in Diving manual, Section 13, under the heading

“Underwater Navigation”

Exercises:1. List 2 methods of measuring distance underwater that do not require the use of

a calibrated device.

a.

b.

2. Which of these methods is most accurate?


Objective 4.6State the guideline for the maximum negative buoyancy of an object if it is to be recovered without the assistance of a lift bag.

Resources:• Adventures in Diving manual, Section Eleven, under the heading “Search and

Recovery Diving”

Exercises:1. A diver is wearing a BCD with 18 kilograms/40 pounds of lift. He finds an anchor, but

is unable to lift it unless he completely fills his BCD. What should the diver do in this circumstance?

a. Cautiously ascend holding the anchor with his BCD fully inflated.

b. Have his buddy put some air in his own vest and ascend with the anchor as a team, each with their vests partially inflated.

c. Leave the anchor on the bottom and return later with a lift bag.

d. Cautiously ascend with the anchor using the buoyancy of his BCD, but with his buddy holding on to him in case of a problem.

Objective 4.7 List the minimum suggested equipment necessary to safely engage in night diving activities.

Resources:• Adventures in Diving manual, Section Nine, under the heading “Night Diving”

Exercises:1. When night diving, one of the most important contingencies you must plan for is

“what happens if my light goes out?” How should divers plan for this situation?


2. Although each diver should have a primary light, only one of the two buddies need to have the required backup lights when night diving.

True False

Objective 4.8 State the maximum altitude above which special procedures are required for the use of most dive tables and explain why diving at altitude requires such special consideration.

Resources:• Adventures in Diving manual, Section One, under the heading “Altitude Diving”

Exercises:1. Most dive tables, including the Recreational Dive Planner, were not designed for use

above an altitude of _____________ (metres/feet).

2. Special procedures are required when diving at altitude because:

a. the percentage of nitrogen is increased.

b. the percentage of nitrogen is decreased since the ambient pressure is reduced.

c. the partial pressure of nitrogen is increased.

d. the partial pressure of nitrogen is decreased since the ambient pressure is reduced.

Objective 4.9 Explain why an unconscious, nonbreathing diver should be resuscitated while being towed to shore even if no pulse is suspected.

Resources:• PADI Rescue Diver Manual, Chapter Four, under the heading “Managing an

Unresponsive Diver at the Surface”

Exercises:1. You encounter an unconscious diver at the surface. You remove the victim’s weight belt,

and attempt to check the victim’s pulse. If unable to detect a pulse, you should immediately begin towing the victim to shore as fast as possible.

True False


Objective 4.10 State the compression-to-ventilation ratio for administering one-rescuer CPR.

Resources:• Emergency First Response Participant Manual

Exercises:1. When administering one-rescuer CPR, the compression rate should be as fast as can be

sustained by the rescuer.

True False

2. When administering one-rescuer CPR, the ratio of compressions to ventilations is _____________.

Objective 4.11 Explain what action should be taken with a victim of a near-drowning accident.

Resources:• Encyclopedia, Chapter Five, in the side-bar article entitled “The Physiological

Rationale for the First Aid and Medical Treatment of Near-Drowning”

• PADI Rescue Diver Manual, Chapter Four, under the heading “Near Drowning”

Exercises:1. Assume you are involved in the rescue of an unconscious diver. You get the victim to shore

and he begins to breathe on his own and shows signs of responsiveness. Several minutes later he appears fully conscious and alert. Embarrassed by the incident, he tells you he feels all right and wants to be taken home. What action should you take?


Objective 4.12 Explain what action should be taken for a diver suffering from decompression sickness, and under what circumstances the patient should be taken back into the water for recompression.

Resources:• Encyclopedia, Chapter Five, under the heading “Physiological Rationale of the

First Aid and Treatment of DCS”

• PADI Rescue Diver Manual, Chapter Four, under the heading “First Aid for Decompression Illness”

Exercises:1. The first aid treatment for a diver suffering from decompression sickness is to have the

patient breathe pure oxygen at 100% concentration, and have him:

a. lay flat.

b. lay in a left-side-down, head-low position.

c. sit up if they are conscious and comfortable.

d. lay face down.

2. While eating lunch after a dive to 30 metres/100 feet, your dive buddy complains of joint pain and numbness in his right arm. You suspect decompression sickness. However, as you are on vacation off a remote island, the closest chamber is several hours away. An ample supply of oxygen is onboard. The captain, who is a qualified recompression chamber operator, suggests that in-water recompression be attempted. As the group leader, what should your advice be?


Objective 4.13 List at least 3 common signs/symptoms of marine life injuries.

Resources:• PADI Rescue Diver Manual, Chapter Two, under the heading “Common Aquatic

Life Injury First Aid”

Exercises:1. What are 5 common signs/symptoms of marine life injuries?

a.

b.

c,

d.

e.

2. What are the recommended first aid measures for wounds resulting from venomous marine life?

Objective 4.14Explain how tides are caused.

Resources:• Encyclopedia, Chapter Two, under the heading “Tides”

Exercises:1. Tides are caused by the gravitational influence of the _____________ and the

_____________, with the _____________ having the greater effect.


Objective 4.15 Given the nature of the circulation of major ocean currents (Coriolis Effect), state the direction of flow for such currents in relation to the coastline of any continent.

Resources:• Encyclopedia, Chapter Two, under the heading “Surface Currents”

Exercises:1. The major oceanic current off the southwest coast of Africa flows in a _____________

to _____________ direction. (Use 2 of the 4 designated directions: either north, south, east or west.)

2. The major oceanic current off the coast of Europe flows in a _____________ to _____________ direction. (Use 2 of the 4 designated directions: either north, south, east or west.)

Objective 4.16 Define the term “environmental orientation” and explain for whom such an orientation is intended.

Resources:• PADI Open Water Diver Manual, Chapter Three, under the heading

“The Dive Environment”

Exercises:1. What is the PADI Discover Local Diving experience program designed to accomplish, and

who is qualified to conduct it?

2. Because of their high degree of experience and qualifications, instructors need not consider participating in an environmental orientation when they visit new diving locations.

True False


Objective 4.17List at least 5 ways a diver can protect the aquatic realm.

Resources:• Encyclopedia, Chapter One, under the heading “Your Role in the Seas’ Future”

Exercises:1. List 5 ways a diver can protect the aquatic realm.

a.

b.

c,

d.

e.

2. What is Project A.W.A.R.E.?


Objective 4.18 State the most important diving skill useful in avoiding damage to the marine environment.

Resources:• Adventures in Diving manual, Section Twelve, under the heading “Underwater

Naturalist”

Exercises:1. What is the single most important diving skill in avoiding damage to the environment?

2. What are some other ways divers can avoid damaging the environment by the way they dive?

what factors can contribute to its occurrence.

Section Four: Answer Key 4-13

Correct: Confident Guess

Incorrect: Simple Mistake Lack of Knowledge

Section FourAnswer Key

Objective 4.1 Explain the proper procedure for executing a Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent.

1. (c) When making a Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent (CESA) the diver should exhale, making a continuous “ah” sound to avoid a lung-expansion injury. This is a better practice than attempting to forcibly exhale. During the ascent you should strive to maintain a constant, normal lung volume. Forceful exhalation makes this difficult. In fact, studies involving lung physiology have shown that an exhalation that is too forceful can actually trap air in the lower portions of the lungs causing an overexpansion injury.

2. (c) When making a Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent, the diver should do which of the following in terms of his equipment? Keep all equipment in place and retain his regulator. Remember, the term is Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent. Only by keeping your equipment in place can you maintain control of the ascent. Keeping your weight belt in place will enable you to control your rate of ascent. Keeping your regulator in place has several advantages: 1) You might be able to get a few breaths of air as you ascend and the ambient pressure is reduced; 2) If you do have an uncontrollable urge to inhale it’s far better to do it with a regulator in your mouth rather than inhale water; 3) when you do the exercise in training, you can easily resume normal breathing at any time you wish.

3. (d) When making a Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent , what should the diver do regarding his ascent rate? Maintain a normal ascent rate (not in excess of 18 metres/ 60 feet per minute). A controlled ascent means a normal ascent. No faster than 18 metres/60 feet per minute. That’s






Objective 4.2Define the term “neutral buoyancy” and describe how to execute a buoyancy check at the surface.

1. Divers should always wear an amount of weight equal to 10% of their body weight plus 1 kilogram/3 pounds. False. There are numerous rules divers have tried to apply in order to estimate the amount of weight that should be worn. Unfortunately, none of them are accurate in all — or even most — situations. Humans vary greatly in their body configurations, which in turn affects their buoyancy. The only way to know for sure how much weight you need is by actual trial and error in the water.

2. What technique can a diver use to quickly determine proper weighting while still at the surface? The “buoyancy check” exercise that is taught in the Open Water Diver course is the easiest way to determine proper weighting. You can consider yourself properly weighted if, with all of the air out of your BCD, you can float at eye level holding a normal breath. If you are floating at eye level but still have air in your BCD, then you are wearing too much weight. Conversely, if you are still floating at eye level after completely exhaling, you aren’t wearing enough. By the way, as you gain more experience you will actually need less weight. This results from a decrease in your displacement after you have developed a more relaxed breathing cycle. Therefore, don’t assume that the amount of weight you wear will remain constant. As you gain more experience, periodically recheck your weighting. You’ll find that you will probably need less; and the less weight you wear the less energy you expend. It also helps keep you off the bottom, which makes the organisms that live underwater a lot happier.

Objective 4.3Demonstrate and explain the meaning of the 25 common hand signals.

1. (c) A clenched fist brought toward the chest is a signal for: “I am low on air.” This signal is sometimes mistakenly interpreted as “I am out of air.” Any action resulting from the signal must be indicated by yet another signal, as you will see in the next response.








2. (b) Your buddy gives you a “cut throat” sign followed by pointing to his mouth. What action should you take in this circumstance? Immediately provide your alternate air source to him. The signal itself means “I need to share air.” It does not imply any particular method. However, alternate air source devices are considered a standard piece of equipment for all divers; and this is the easiest way of sharing air. Buddy breathing should only be necessary if the donor is improperly equipped by not having an alternate air source device. Of course, if in the event an alternate air source isn’t available, buddy breathing would be an appropriate response (depending on the depth). But, the alternate air source is always the primary response to an out-of-air emergency.

3. (b) You suddenly run out of air at 18 metres/60 feet. You notice your buddy is 6 metres/20 feet away and not paying attention to you. What action should you take in this circumstance? Swim to your buddy and immediately locate and secure his alternate air source, then signal you are out of air. One of the biggest advantages of an alternate air source is that a diver in need of air can obtain it without the assistance of the donor. This is made even easier if the donor clearly marks the hose so that it can be identified if the donor is approached from behind. However, you should be aware that some alternate air source systems do require gaining the attention of the donor prior to securing the device. This is particularly true of those devices that serve a dual function as BCD inflator and alternate air source. In this case the donor must give up his own regulator and use the alternate device himself. This, of course, requires the knowledge and cooperation of the donor.

Objective 4.4List at least two factors which dictate the type of pattern to be used when searching for an underwater object.

1. List 2 factors that determine the type of pattern to be used when conducting an underwater search.a. The environmental conditions present: Consider how much

visibility you have and if there is a current present.b. The size of the object to be located: Different search patterns

are in order depending on whether you are looking for a diamond ring versus a sunken boat.








2. When working close to a shoreline, what two naturally occurring phenomena can be used as aids to navigation?a. Sand ripples, which generally run parallel to the shoreline.b. Changes in water depth, which indicate whether you are

moving toward or away from shore.

Objective 4.5State the most accurate means of measuring distance underwater without the use of a calibrated measuring device.

1. List 2 methods of measuring distance underwater that do not require the use of a calibrated device.a. Arm spansb. Kick cycles

2. Which of these methods is most accurate? Arm spans are the most accurate because of the ability to precisely measure the distance between your arms. By remembering the distance, you’ll be able to accurately measure distances under water. Kick cycles and timed swims are good for general estimates only. Too many environmental and physical factors can affect these methods for them to be used with a high degree of accuracy.

Objective 4.6State the guideline for the maximum negative buoyancy of an object if it is to be recovered without the assistance of a lift bag.

1. (c) A diver is wearing a BCD with 18 kilograms/40 pounds of lift. He finds an anchor, but is unable to lift it unless he completely fills his BCD. What should the diver do in this circumstance? Leave the anchor on the bottom and return later with a lift bag. This is the only safe practice given the weight of the object. The guideline is that a lift bag should be used anytime the object to be recovered is more than 4-7 kilograms/10-15 pounds negatively buoyant. Trying to bring an object heavier than this to the surface using your BCD is foolish because of the danger of an uncontrolled ascent should the object be dropped. Also, if the object is very heavy you will likely need to hold it with both hands. This makes manipulating your BCD very difficult. No object is worth endangering your life. If you aren’t properly equipped to raise the object, mark it with a buoy and return later.










Objective 4.7 List the minimum suggested equipment necessary to safely engage in night diving activities.

1. When night diving, one of the most important contingencies you must plan for is “what happens if my light goes out?” How should divers plan for this situation? It is recommended that divers enter the water for a night dive with three essential parts to their underwater lighting system. 1) A primarily light: Ideally, this should be powered by a source of at least 6 volts and contain a reasonably wide angle of coverage. 2) A back-up light: This should be small, but easily accessible and have sufficient lighting capability to serve as a primary light source if necessary. 3) A chemical glow light: The other lights are mechanical and as such subject to flooding or loss of power. A chemical light is subject to neither. In the extremely unlikely event of failure of both lights, and separation from your buddy, the chemical light will at least enable your buddy, other divers or surface supervisors to locate you.

2. Although each diver should have a primary light, only one of the two buddies need to have the required backup lights when night diving. False. No matter how well you plan a dive, buddy team separation can always occur. If it does, then each buddy must be prepared to deal with the possibility of both the primary and backup lights going out. Therefore, both buddies must have a primary light, a backup light and a chemical glow light when night diving.

Objective 4.8 State the maximum altitude above which special procedures are required for the use of most dive tables and explain why diving at altitude requires such special consideration.

1. Most dive tables, including the Recreational Dive Planner, were not designed for use above an altitude of 300 metres/1000 feet. Dive tables are generally designed assuming the diver begins his descent at sea level where the atmospheric pressure is 1 atm/ 14.7 psi. Therefore, all of the calculations used to construct the table are based on the diver ascending back to an atmospheric pressure of 1 atm/14.7 psi. When diving at altitude, the diver begins his ascent from an atmospheric pressure somewhere less than 1 atm/14.7 psi, depending on the altitude. In this case, the sea-level table calculations are invalid because they assumed he would begin and end his dive at a greater pressure (1 atm/ 14.7 psi). Most tables — including the Recreational Dive Planner — have special procedures to take this into consideration.








2. (d) Special procedures are required when diving at altitude because: the partial pressure of nitrogen is decreased since the ambient pressure is reduced. Remember, regardless of the depth, air is air. The percentages of the gases within it — 79% nitrogen, 21% oxygen — never change. However, as the total ambient pressure is reduced at altitude, the corresponding partial pressure of each gas decreases. For example, at sea level the ambient air pressure is 1 atm/ 14.7 psi. If nitrogen accounts for 79% of the atmosphere, then its partial pressure is 0.79 atm/11.61 psi (14.7 X 79% = 11.61 or 1 x 79% = 0.79). Therefore, if at an altitude of 3,000 metres/10,000 feet the ambient air pressure is 0.68 atm/10 psi, and the percentage of nitrogen is still 79%, then the partial pressure at that altitude is 0.537 atm/7.9 psi (.68 x 79% = 0.537/10 x 79% = 7.9). A more thorough explanation of the change in the rate of pressure was provided in the discussion of Objective 3.14 in the previous section on “Equipment.” You might review this material for a more complete understanding of the concept of high altitude diving.

Objective 4.9 Explain why an unconscious, nonbreathing diver should be resuscitated while being towed to shore even if no pulse is suspected.

1. You encounter an unconscious diver at the surface. You remove the victim’s weight belt, and attempt to check the victim’s pulse. If unable to detect a pulse, you should immediately begin towing the victim to shore as fast as possible. False. You can never be fully certain if a pulse does or doesn’t exist if it is taken in the water. You might be wearing gloves, or have difficulty in getting to the carotid artery due to the diver’s exposure suit. Even if you can check the pulse, you might be unable to detect it due to the decreased sensitivity of your fingers from prolonged immersion in water. Therefore, you shouldn’t even bother checking for a pulse while in the water. Just assume an unconscious, non-breathing diver has a pulse and ventilate. Concentrate on towing the victim to assistance while providing adequate ventilations.

If you determine that you are more than five minutes from the shore or boat, you need to evaluate whether the victim has any movement or other reactions to ventilations. If the victim shows some response to ventilations, but doesn’t completely resume self-sufficient breathing, it still indicates that ventilations are having a positive effect. You should continue to ventilate during the tow because the person may be able to regain control






through your efforts. If the person regains complete breathing control, you should discontinue ventilations but continue to monitor the diver during the tow.

If you determine that you are more than five minutes from the shore or boat, and the victim has no reaction to ventilations- for example, has no movement and appears extremely pale or blue - you should stop ventilations and tow the victim to shore as quickly as possible. In this case the victim is probably in cardiac arrest and needs advanced life support which is only available on the shore or boat. Ventilations only slow down the tow and do not assist the victim who has no heartbeat.

Objective 4.10 State the compression-to-ventilation ratio for administering one-rescuer CPR.

1. When administering one-rescuer CPR, the compression rate should be as fast as can be sustained by the rescuer. False. The rate of compressions must be sufficient to maintain artificial circulation for the victim regardless of what the rescuer is able to do. This rate is 100 compressions per minute. While a rescuer might be able to sustain a faster rate at first, it’s doubtful whether such a rate could be maintained. Therefore, the rescuer should concentrate on maintaining the 100 compression rate. A good way of judging this is to compress slightly faster than once per second.

2. When administering one-rescuer CPR, the ratio of compressions to ventilations is 15 compressions followed by 2 ventilations. You may see this procedure altered in two-person CPR. However, two-person CPR is considered an advanced life support technique and is not commonly taught in basic first aid courses like Emergency First Response.

Objective 4.11 Explain what action should be taken with a victim of a near-drowning accident.

1. Assume you are involved in the rescue of an unconscious diver. You get the victim to shore and he begins to breathe on his own, and shows signs of responsiveness. Several minutes later he appears fully conscious and alert. Embarrassed by the incident, he tells you he feels all right and wants to be taken home. What action should you take? Often victims of near-drowning appear to recover only to be found dead a few hours later. This phenomenon has been termed “secondary drowning” and requires an understanding of the physiology of the lungs. The lungs contain a substance referred to as a surfactant.








This surfactant keeps the tiny airways of the lungs from collapsing; if they do collapse, it keeps them from sticking together. When a person is involved in a near-drowning accident, and they inhale even a slight amount of water, some of this surfactant can be diluted or washed away. Once the surfactant is removed the tiny airways can collapse, remain closed and fill with fluid (edema). This is a progressive disorder taking hours to manifest itself as a problem. The only way to deal with this condition is under medical supervision. As a result, anyone involved in a near-drowning accident must be hospitalized even if they apparently recover at the scene and “feel fine.” (More on this surfactant issue was discussed in the section of “Physiology”. See Objective 2.15.)

Objective 4.12 Explain what action should be taken for a diver suffering from decompression sickness, and under what circumstances the patient should be taken back into the water for recompression.

1. (a) The first aid treatment for a diver suffering from decompression sickness is to have the patient breathe pure oxygen at 100% concentration, and to have him: lay flat. The traditional left-side-down, head-low or Trendelenburg position has been shown to have no benefit to divers suffering from decompression sickness. It may have a beneficial effect in cases of lung-expansion injuries. (It must of course be discontinued if rescue breathing or CPR become necessary). However, even in clear cases of lung-expansion injury, it should be used with caution and only under the following guidelines: The left-side-down, head-low position should be used only when the patient is highly suspected of suffering from a lung-expansion injury. It should be used only for the first 20 minutes following the incident, and discontinued if the patient experiences discomfort or the signs/symptoms worsen. If unsure whether the patient has decompression sickness or lung expansion injuries, or if there is any doubt about its use, do not use the left-side-down, head-low position. Conscious patients should be advised not to sit up during first aid or during transport until advised otherwise by a physician.

2. While eating lunch after a dive to 30 metres/100 feet, your dive buddy complains of joint pain and numbness in his right arm. You suspect decompression sickness. However, as your are on vacation off a remote island, the closest chamber is several hours away. An ample supply of oxygen is onboard. The captain, who is a qualified recompression chamber operator, suggests that in-water recompression be attempted.






As the group leader, what should your advice be? Given the conditions and symptoms, the diver is likely suffering from decompression sickness. However, under no circumstance should he be taken back into the water for treatment. Treatment will require several hours and it is unlikely that he could maintain his body heat that long. In addition, his symptoms could worsen to the point of requiring medical support. This would be very difficult underwater. Also, decompression sickness victims must often be given various intravenous fluids and drugs during treatment, which cannot be done in the water. Time is better spent arranging transport to an appropriate chamber facility and providing first aid measures during transport. Most importantly, the diver should breathe as close to pure oxygen at 100% concentration as possible.

Objective 4.13 List at least 3 common signs/symptoms of marine life injuries.

1. What are 5 common signs/symptoms of marine life injuries? a. Loss of consciousness, weakness and nausea b. Mental confusion c. Spreading numbness d. Paralysis e. Local swelling, inflammation or welts

2. What are the recommended first aid measures for wounds resulting from venomous marine life? Often, even those trained in first aid will think in terms of applying ice in the event of an injury. This is precisely what should not be done in the case of wounds resulting from venomous marine life. In this case, after carefully removing any foreign matter, the area should be soaked in hot water (43° to 48°C/110° to 120° F) for at least 30 to 90 minutes. Try to keep the victim positioned so that the wound is below the level of his heart. Finally, treat the victim for shock.

Objective 4.14Explain how tides are caused.

1. Tides are caused by the gravitational influence of the sun and the moon, with the moon having the greater effect. The moon has the greater effect because it is so much closer to the earth than the sun.








Objective 4.15 Given the nature of the circulation of major ocean currents (Coriolis Effect), state the direction of flow for such currents in relation to the coastline of any continent.

1. The major oceanic current off the southwest coast of Africa flows in a south to north direction. The southwest coast of Africa is in the southern hemisphere. Therefore, the major ocean currents flow in a counter-clockwise motion. This would bring cold polar water up from Antarctica northward along the coast.

2. The major oceanic current off the coast of Europe flows in a north to south direction. Europe is in the northern hemisphere, and its coastline faces west. Therefore, as the major ocean currents flow in a clockwise motion, the currents flow from north to south.

Objective 4.16 Define the term “environmental orientation” and explain for whom such an orientation is intended.

1. What is the PADI Discover Local Diving experience designed to accomplish, and who is qualified to conducted it? Discover Local Diving is designed to provide both a means and an incentive for divers to seek a formal orientation from a knowledgeable professional anytime they dive in a new environment. The program orients divers to the special techniques and knowledge required to safely participate in diving activities in that particular environment; and provides for the person conducting the orientation to actually dive with the participants. As the program does not involve any skill evaluation, it can be conducted by any renewed PADI Member with a Divemaster rating or higher who holds professional liability insurance (where required).












2. Because of their high degree of experience and qualifications, instructors need not consider participating in an environmental orientation when they visit new diving locations. False. An instructor, just as any other diver, should consider participating in Discover Local Diving anytime they are planning to dive in a new environment. While instructors certainly have a high degree of knowledge, they usually do not have practical experience in every type of diving environment. Even if they possess the knowledge to dive in a certain location with which they have no experience, an orientation will provide them with the skills they will need.

Objective 4.17 List at least five ways a diver can protect the aquatic realm.

1. List five ways a diver can protect the aquatic realm.• Dive carefully in fragile aquatic ecosystems, such as

coral reefs. • Be aware of your body and equipment placement

when diving.• Keep your diving skills sharp with continuing education.• Consider your interactions effect on aquatic life.• Understand and respect underwater life.• Resist the urge to collect souvenirs.• If you hunt or gather game, obey all fish and game laws.• Report environmental disturbances or destruction of your

dive sites.• Be a role model for other divers.• Get involved in local environmental activities and issues.

2. What is Project A.W.A.R.E.? Recognizing that the health of the marine environment is a pivotal concern to diving and the diving industry, PADI has initiated a major educational campaign. Entitled Project A.W.A.R.E. (Aquatic World Awareness, Responsibility and Education) the program is PADI’s 10-year plan to help protect and preserve the marine environment. Ranging from extensive editorial coverage in its various publications to the introduction of a new series of marine education texts, this commitment to expanded education and awareness will be one of the Association’s primary focuses into the 1990’s.






Objective 4.18 State the most important diving skill useful in avoiding damage to the marine environment.

1. What is the single most important diving skill in avoiding damage to the environment? Proper buoyancy control is the single most important diving skill in avoiding damage to the environment. Many divers assume that the only benefit of good buoyancy-control skills is the energy they will save by letting their equipment work for them. However, by learning to wear an appropriate amount of weight and to use the BCD properly, divers will avoid unintentional contact with the environment. This will go a long way in helping to preserve the fragile underwater world.

2. What are some other ways divers can avoid damaging the environment by the way they dive? In addition to proper buoyancy control, there are several other ways divers can help protect the marine environment: 1) Avoid wearing more weight than is necessary. 2) Avoid touching coral and other invertebrates (To stress this some dive resorts are even discouraging the use of gloves). 3) Streamline your equipment as much as possible, and be aware of dangling hoses, straps and other items that could contact the bottom. 4) Be careful to avoid kicking corals and other habitat with your fins while you swim.




Section AnalysisFrom the answer key, identify any items marked "correct-guess" or "incorrect-lack of knowledge." These items represent important points of information or concepts you still might not fully understand. Check below any objectives that contained items with a "correct-guess" or "incorrect-lack of knowledge" response. Completing this section is an important step in determining your understanding of general skills and the environment.

Confident Guess Total

Correct Responses

Simple Mistake Lack of Knowledge Total

Incorrect Responses

Objectives To Be Reviewed:

4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6

4.7 4.8 4.9 4.10 4.11 4.12

4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18

Documents

DKW 4 GenSkills