SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Practice Exam

What is a common risk associated with surfacing too quickly after a dive?

1. Surface confusion

2. Decompression sickness

3. Heat exhaustion

4. Swimming fatigue

The correct answer is: Decompression sickness

Surfacing too quickly after a dive can lead to decompression sickness, often referred to as "the bends." This condition occurs when a diver ascends rapidly, causing dissolved gases (mostly nitrogen) that accumulate in the body under higher pressure to form bubbles as pressure decreases during the ascent. These bubbles can expand rapidly and cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from mild discomfort to severe neurological impairment or even death, depending on where the bubbles form in the body and how quickly the diver surfaces. In contrast, proper ascent rates, typically recommended to be no faster than 30 feet per minute, allow the body time to safely eliminate the excess nitrogen through respiration, minimizing the risk of developing decompression sickness. The other options, while they may represent risks in different contexts, do not associate closely with the specific dangers of rapid ascents during diving. Surface confusion might occur under specific circumstances but isn't a direct consequence of ascent rates. Heat exhaustion and swimming fatigue relate more to environmental exposure and physical exertion rather than pressure-related risks associated with diving.