BS·AC Novice Diver Workbook Quiz

Just learning the answers to these quizzes will probably not be enough to pass the theory test - more to the point, it will not be enough to make you a safe diver! The workbooks and Sports Diving manual can be ordered from BS·AC.

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NT1 - Introduction to Diver Training

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1. A mask provides an airspace so the eyes can . Complete the statement.
2. There are two reasons why the nose is enclosed in the mask. What are they?

3. What type of glass should be used for the lens of a diver's mask?
4. What is the purpose of a snorkel tube?
5. Which type of fin can easily be adjusted for size?
6. What do divers use to compensate for buoyancy of a suit and other equipment?
7. A golden rule: 'Never dive '. Complete the statement.
8. The main reason for enclosing the nose within the face mask is:
  1. To assist in ear clearing.
  2. To prevent water entering the nose.
  3. To prevent mask fogging.
  4. To stop you breathing through your nose.
9. An important safety feature of the mask is:
  1. The plastic rim can withstand pressure.
  2. Face plate made of toughened glass.
  3. A built-in breathing tube.
  4. Its high visibility colour.
10. A snorkel tube:
  1. Enables the diver to breathe with face submerged on the surface.
  2. Enables the diver to remain in the water longer.
  3. Economises on air consumption.
  4. Allows breath-holding dives to be made.
11. Which of the following is untrue?
  1. Fins come in slipper or heel strap type.
  2. Fins are designed to fit on either foot.
  3. Fin blades should be floppy.
  4. Fin blade should angle downwards.
12. The most essential feature of a weightbelt is:
  1. Weights will not slide off.
  2. It can be adjusted while being worn.
  3. It has a quick release fastening.
  4. It is made of strong webbing.
13. What does a thumbs up signal indicate to a diver?
  1. OK
  2. On reserve
  3. You / me
  4. Go up
14. If your buddy gives an emergency signal, should you?
  1. Render assistance.
  2. Give an OK signal in reply.
  3. Give the 'Ascend' signal.
  4. Return the same signal.
15. Buddy diving involves:
  1. Helping buddy into the water.
  2. Agreeing what to do during the dive.
  3. Monitoring buddy's air supply.
  4. All these things and more.

NT2 - Pressure and Buoyancy

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1. What causes atmospheric pressure?
2. Atmospheric pressure = bar or kg/cm2. Put in the figures.
3. What are the two main gases which make up air?

4. Does atmospheric pressure increase or decrease with altitude?
5. Both gases and liquids are considered to be compressible. True or False?
6. What approximate depth of water exerts a pressure equivalent to that of the atmosphere?
7. What is the absolute pressure in bar at 40m?
8. What happens to the volume of air in an inverted bucket when taken from the surface to 10m?
9. Air pressure within the body must be kept equal to what, if injury is to be avoided?
10. What separates the outer ear from the middle ear?
11. Pressure causes pain in the ear - how can this be relieved?
12. Why should you not dive if you have a cold?
13. Are the lungs rigid or flexible air spaces?
14. An aqualung diver should normally during a normal ascent. Complete the statement.
15. Why is the risk of a burst lung the greatest in the final 10m of an ascent?
16. Which body air spaces are employed in buoyancy adjustment?
17. If a diver is positively buoyant is he/she floating or sinking?
18. What is the approximate percentage of nitrogen in air?
  1. 20%
  2. 40%
  3. 60%
  4. 80%
19. What is the absolute pressure at 20 metres?
  1. 2 bar
  2. 3 bar
  3. 4 bar
  4. 20 bar
20. Which of the following might cause lung damage?
  1. Breathing out on ascent
  2. Failing to equalise pressure on descent
  3. Descending with full lungs
  4. Breath holding on ascent

NT3 - Diving Equipment

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1. An aqualung comprises three main parts. What are they?


2. Amongst the markings on a British diving cylinder is the code BS 5045. What does this refer to?
3. Water capacity (WC) × Working Pressure (WP) = what?
4. What is the range of working pressures for typical aqualung cylinders?
5. What is the main function of a BC?
6. Which is the quickest way of inflating a BC in an emergency - direct feed or air / gas cylinder?
7. Why does a BC require a pressure release valve?
8. What is the function of the regulator first stage which fits onto the air cylinder?
9. What should be pressed to clear water from a demand valve?
10. What might cause a regulator or regulator demand valve to free flow?
11. When might an alternative air source be used?
12. What causes a wetsuit to lose buoyancy at depth?
13. Which is best for cold water diving: the wetsuit or the drysuit?
14. Accurate recording of depth and time are necessary to avoid - what?
15. What name is given to a float, line and reel used by divers to show they are below?
16. What does the mark BS 5405 on an aqualung cylinder refer to?
  1. Maker's serial number
  2. Design specification
  3. Test date
  4. Test pressure
17. Which cylinder marking indicates the pressure to which an aqualung cylinder should be filled?
  1. TC
  2. TP
  3. WC
  4. WP
18. Which of the following does not relate to an alternative air source?
  1. Pony cylinder
  2. Manifold
  3. Octopus rig
  4. Twin regulators
19. If a neutrally buoyant diver were to fully inflate a BC at depth, how would you describe the resulting rate of ascent?
  1. Slow
  2. Normal
  3. Fast
  4. Dangerously fast
20. Which of the following does not relate to a depth gauge?
  1. Rotating bezel type
  2. Capillary type
  3. Bourdon tube type
  4. Diaphragm type

NT4 - Safe Diving Practices and Diver Rescue Part 1

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1. Buddy diving involves agreement on several points. List four.
2. List three headings which should be covered during a dive briefing.
3. What should you check periodically during a dive?
4. What extra safeguard should be taken if ascending in low visibility?
5. If things are not going to plan; if you feel ill at ease; breathless, what should you do?
6. You have run out of air at 15m. Name three 'self help' options open to you.
7. Which is the recommended way of making an emergency ascent after an air supply failure?
8. What is, and who is likely to display, cyanosis?
9. How should a casualty's head and neck be placed if AV is to be given?
10. If it is proving effective, what should you notice after a few breaths of AV?
11. A dive plan should be:
  1. The Dive Leader's sole decision
  2. Designed to push the least experienced diver so he / she learns quickly
  3. Agreed by all divers taking part
  4. Prepared by the Dive Marshal
12. Having carried out a careful buoyancy check, how much extra weight may be added to your weightbelt to compensate for air consumed during the dive?
  1. None
  2. 2 - 4kg
  3. 6 - 8kg
  4. More than 10kg
13. Which course of action should you take if you become separated from your buddy?
  1. Make your own way back to shore / boat
  2. Remain where you are until your buddy relocates you
  3. Go immediately to surface and summon help
  4. Look around through full circle - if unable to locate buddy, ascend to surface
14. In which emergency ascent would you expect to exhale all the way to the surface?
  1. Free ascent
  2. Buoyant rescue lift
  3. Assisted ascent
  4. Alternative air source ascent
15. At what approximate rate should you apply AV when resuscitating an adult casualty on land?
  1. Approx. 6 ventilations / minute
  2. Approx. 10 ventilations / minute
  3. Approx. 15 ventilations / minute
  4. 20 + ventilations / minute

NT5 - Introduction to Decompression Tables

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1. Which gas in the air we breathe is considered to be responsible for decompression sickness?
2. What actually happens to nitrogen in the body when decompression sickness occurs?
3. The body absorbs nitrogen during a dive. Is it all released by the time you surface again?
4. The time limit for diving to a given depth, which is unlikely to lead to DCI is called - what?
5. Define Dive Time.
6. What is the full title of the code which describes a diver's saturation state on surfacing?
7. At what depth is the Ascent Check made?
8. When does a Surface Interval start and stop?
9. What is the correct rate of ascent from maximum depth reached to 6m?
10. What period of time must elapse before all excess nitrogen is considered to be released?
11. Use the Table to determine the Surfacing Code after a 30 minute dive to 15m.
12. Use the Table to determine the maximum Dive Time for a No-Stop dive to 20m.
13. Use the Table to determine the maximum Dive Time for a No-Stop dive to 18m which gives a Surfacing Code of D.
14. How long should you wait before you can safely fly after diving?
15. When is most nitrogen released from a diver's body?
  1. During descent
  2. During ascent
  3. During decompression stops
  4. On surface after / between dives
16. What two factors are used to determine the Current Tissue Code?
  1. Surfacing Code and Last Dive Code
  2. Last Dive Code and Surface Interval
  3. Surface Interval and Dive Time
  4. Dive Time and Surfacing Code
17. What rate of ascent is used in the BSAC '88 Decompression Tables?
  1. 6m / minute up to 6m, then 15m / minute to surface
  2. 15m / minute up to 6m, then 6m / minute to surface
  3. 15m / minute throughout the ascent
  4. 6m / minute throughout the ascent
18. How long should it take to ascend from a No-Stop dive to a depth of 36m?
  1. 2 minutes
  2. 4 minutes
  3. 3 minutes
  4. 6 minutes
19. What is the Surfacing Code for an 18 minutes Dive Time and maximum depth 30m?
  1. F
  2. E
  3. D
  4. C
20. Divers plan to make a dive to 41m. What is their maximum No-Stop Dive Time?
  1. 9 minutes
  2. 10 minutes
  3. 12 minutes
  4. 21 minutes