PADI, Open Water Diver, Final Exam
Review Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) 2026/2027
1) If an object is neutrally buoyant (does not sink or float) in fresh water,
the same object placed into salt water would
A sink.
B either sink or float.
C do nothing.
D float. - CORRECT ANSWER -D float.
Salt water is heavier than fresh water because it has dissolved minerals
in it. This means it causes more upward force (buoyancy) on an object.
An object that is neutrally buoyant in fresh water would float in salt
water because there is greater upward force.
See Being a Diver I - Buoyancy and Controlling Buoyancy.
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. - CORRECT 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. - CORRECT 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. - CORRECT 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. - CORRECT 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.
Review Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) 2026/2027
1) If an object is neutrally buoyant (does not sink or float) in fresh water,
the same object placed into salt water would
A sink.
B either sink or float.
C do nothing.
D float. - CORRECT ANSWER -D float.
Salt water is heavier than fresh water because it has dissolved minerals
in it. This means it causes more upward force (buoyancy) on an object.
An object that is neutrally buoyant in fresh water would float in salt
water because there is greater upward force.
See Being a Diver I - Buoyancy and Controlling Buoyancy.
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. - CORRECT 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. - CORRECT 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. - CORRECT 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. - CORRECT 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.
