PADI Divemaster Certification Practice Exam

What should a diver do if they surface without completing required emergency decompression?

1. Dive back down to complete decompression

2. Rest, be monitored, and breathe 100% oxygen

3. Call for medical assistance immediately

4. Resume diving the next day

The correct answer is: Rest, be monitored, and breathe 100% oxygen

If a diver surfaces without completing the required emergency decompression, the recommended action is to rest, be monitored, and breathe 100% oxygen. This choice is correct because breathing 100% oxygen helps eliminate nitrogen from the body more quickly, reducing the risk of decompression sickness (DCS). It enhances the body's ability to manage excess nitrogen that can have accumulated during the dive beyond what is safe. Monitoring is crucial to ensure that the diver's condition does not deteriorate, as symptoms of DCS can arise and become serious. It provides the diver with the necessary observation to catch any signs of illness early. Resting allows the body to recover without the added stress of further exertion, which could complicate any potential issues. In contrast, diving back down to complete decompression is dangerous and can exacerbate the problem by increasing nitrogen absorption at depth. Calling for medical assistance is important but should follow initial self-care actions; the immediate response focuses on managing the situation with oxygen and monitoring. Resuming diving the next day without addressing the decompression issue could place the diver at greater risk of injury, especially if any latent DCS has developed. Thus, the combination of rest, monitoring, and pure oxygen is the safest and most effective initial response