PADI Divemaster Certification Practice Exam

Which depth increments should be marked during a dive mapping process?

1. Every 1 metre

2. Every 5 metre

3. Every 3 metre/10 foot increments

4. Every 2 metre

The correct answer is: Every 3 metre/10 foot increments

The recommended depth increments of every 3 metres or 10 feet during a dive mapping process is advantageous for several reasons. First, this increment is practical and easily manageable for divers, making it straightforward to assess depth changes while underwater. This can be particularly useful for ensuring that significant features of the dive site are accurately documented. Secondly, marking depth at these intervals provides a good balance between detail and complexity. While finer increments could offer more precise information, they may complicate the mapping process and lead to an overwhelming amount of data collection that can be hard to synthesize into a coherent map later. Additionally, marking depth in both metric and imperial units caters to a broader range of divers who may be accustomed to one measurement system over the other. This inclusivity enhances the usability of the dive map for a diverse audience. This combination of usability, practicality, and precision is why using every 3 metres or 10-foot increments is the preferred method for depth marking during the mapping process in diving.