PADI OPEN WATER DIVER COMPREHENSIVE
EXAM SCRIPT 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ 2) I blow up a balloon, tie it off, and take it to the bottom of the
swimming pool. What will happen to the balloon and the air inside it?
A The balloon will get bigger and the air inside the balloon will be less
dense (molecules move further apart).
B The balloon will get smaller and the air inside the balloon will be
more dense (molecules move closer together).
C The balloon will get bigger and the air inside the balloon will be more
dense.
D The balloon will get smaller and the air inside the balloon will be less
dense. Answer: B The balloon will get smaller and the air inside the
balloon will be more dense (molecules move closer together).
As water pressure increases, the volume of an air space will decrease.
This causes the density of the air inside to increase and air molecules are
pushed closer together. The balloon would get smaller and the air
density inside would be greater.
See Being a Diver I - Water Pressure and Air Volume Effects.
,◉ 3) I turn a glass upside down, trap the air in it by putting it in water,
and then I take the glass down to 10 meters. The air space would
A become half the size it was at the surface.
B not change in size.
C become 1/3 the size it was at the surface.
D become 2/3 the size it was at the surface. Answer: A become half the
size it was at the surface.
At 10 meters, the pressure is 2 bar. An air volume taken to this depth
from the surface would decrease and become half the size.
See Being a Diver I - Water Pressure and Air Volume Effects.
◉ 4) If I am not able to equalize (clear) my body air spaces, it may be
because I have
A seasickness.
B heart disease and high blood pressure.
C a cold, allergy or another medical problem.
D anxiety. Answer: C A cold, allergy or another medical problem.
,A cold, or any congestion, can block air passages in your ears and
sinuses, making equalization difficult or impossible.
See Being a Diver I - The Effects of Increasing Pressure on Body Air
Spaces.
◉ 5) If my ears or sinuses hurt while I am descending (going down), it
usually means
A my air spaces are equalized.
B my mask strap is too tight.
C I am feeling a squeeze and need to equalize.
D my mask is too small. Answer: C I am feeling a squeeze and need to
equalize.
Pain in your ears or sinuses means that they aren't equalized. Stop your
descent and ascend slightly to relieve pressure on your ears. Then
attempt to equalize again. If you can't equalize, end the dive.
See Being a Diver I - The Effects of Increasing Pressure on Body Air
Spaces.
◉ 6) The best place for me to position an alternate air source is
, A loose by my side so I can find it fast.
B in the triangle area formed by my chin and the lower corners of my rib
cage.
C to the base of my cylinder.
D to the back of my BCD between my shoulder blades and waist.
Answer: B In the triangle area formed by my chin and the lower corners
of my rib cage.
Your alternate air source attaches with a quick release in the triangle area
formed by your chin and the lower corners of your rib cage. Avoid
letting your alternate air source dangle unsecured from your kit.
See Equipment I - Regulators.
◉ 7) Lung overexpansion injuries can be caused by
A scuba diving without a buddy.
B continuing a dive when not properly weighted.
C not drinking enough water before scuba diving.
D holding my breath while scuba diving. Answer: D Holding my breath
while scuba diving.
Blocking off your lungs by holding your breath and ascending could
cause them to overexpand and rupture, which is a serious injury that
EXAM SCRIPT 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ 2) I blow up a balloon, tie it off, and take it to the bottom of the
swimming pool. What will happen to the balloon and the air inside it?
A The balloon will get bigger and the air inside the balloon will be less
dense (molecules move further apart).
B The balloon will get smaller and the air inside the balloon will be
more dense (molecules move closer together).
C The balloon will get bigger and the air inside the balloon will be more
dense.
D The balloon will get smaller and the air inside the balloon will be less
dense. Answer: B The balloon will get smaller and the air inside the
balloon will be more dense (molecules move closer together).
As water pressure increases, the volume of an air space will decrease.
This causes the density of the air inside to increase and air molecules are
pushed closer together. The balloon would get smaller and the air
density inside would be greater.
See Being a Diver I - Water Pressure and Air Volume Effects.
,◉ 3) I turn a glass upside down, trap the air in it by putting it in water,
and then I take the glass down to 10 meters. The air space would
A become half the size it was at the surface.
B not change in size.
C become 1/3 the size it was at the surface.
D become 2/3 the size it was at the surface. Answer: A become half the
size it was at the surface.
At 10 meters, the pressure is 2 bar. An air volume taken to this depth
from the surface would decrease and become half the size.
See Being a Diver I - Water Pressure and Air Volume Effects.
◉ 4) If I am not able to equalize (clear) my body air spaces, it may be
because I have
A seasickness.
B heart disease and high blood pressure.
C a cold, allergy or another medical problem.
D anxiety. Answer: C A cold, allergy or another medical problem.
,A cold, or any congestion, can block air passages in your ears and
sinuses, making equalization difficult or impossible.
See Being a Diver I - The Effects of Increasing Pressure on Body Air
Spaces.
◉ 5) If my ears or sinuses hurt while I am descending (going down), it
usually means
A my air spaces are equalized.
B my mask strap is too tight.
C I am feeling a squeeze and need to equalize.
D my mask is too small. Answer: C I am feeling a squeeze and need to
equalize.
Pain in your ears or sinuses means that they aren't equalized. Stop your
descent and ascend slightly to relieve pressure on your ears. Then
attempt to equalize again. If you can't equalize, end the dive.
See Being a Diver I - The Effects of Increasing Pressure on Body Air
Spaces.
◉ 6) The best place for me to position an alternate air source is
, A loose by my side so I can find it fast.
B in the triangle area formed by my chin and the lower corners of my rib
cage.
C to the base of my cylinder.
D to the back of my BCD between my shoulder blades and waist.
Answer: B In the triangle area formed by my chin and the lower corners
of my rib cage.
Your alternate air source attaches with a quick release in the triangle area
formed by your chin and the lower corners of your rib cage. Avoid
letting your alternate air source dangle unsecured from your kit.
See Equipment I - Regulators.
◉ 7) Lung overexpansion injuries can be caused by
A scuba diving without a buddy.
B continuing a dive when not properly weighted.
C not drinking enough water before scuba diving.
D holding my breath while scuba diving. Answer: D Holding my breath
while scuba diving.
Blocking off your lungs by holding your breath and ascending could
cause them to overexpand and rupture, which is a serious injury that
