BSAC SPORTS DIVER EXAMPREP STUDY
GUIDE 2026 DETAILED QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED A+
●● Why use a shot line? Answer: Shortest route to and from surface to
dive site
●● What can be fastened to a shot line for decompression? Answer: A
back up decompression cylinder (clearly labelled with gas mix% and
MOD)
●● What is a lazy shot line? Answer: Extended line down tide of the
main shot line to a decompression station to avoid diver congestion. Last
divers will disconnect the extended attachment
●● Decompression trapeze Answer: Extension from the lazy shot line
with bars places at 6m and 9m
●● How much weight should an SMB support? Answer: 10-20kg
●● How much line is needed for an (D)SMB? Answer: 1.25 x dive depth
●● When to use an SMB Answer: - drift dives
, - sites close to harbour and shipping lanes
- if risk of divers travelling far from entry point
- when the diver position needs to be know at all times
●● Conditions not suitable for an SMB? Answer: - wrecks
- sites with metal overhangs or nets
- gullies or on walls bellow kelp or coral
●● Precautions for SMB's Answer: - avoid entanglement
- ensure tell can be released quickly
- use as buddy line if needed (separation, low vis)
●● Types of DSMB Answer: 1. open-ended
2. Self sealing
3. Self-inflating
●● Advantage of open ended DSMB's Answer: - simple construction
- cheap
- compact, easy to carry
●● Disadvantage of open ended DSMB's Answer: - require manual
inflation
GUIDE 2026 DETAILED QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED A+
●● Why use a shot line? Answer: Shortest route to and from surface to
dive site
●● What can be fastened to a shot line for decompression? Answer: A
back up decompression cylinder (clearly labelled with gas mix% and
MOD)
●● What is a lazy shot line? Answer: Extended line down tide of the
main shot line to a decompression station to avoid diver congestion. Last
divers will disconnect the extended attachment
●● Decompression trapeze Answer: Extension from the lazy shot line
with bars places at 6m and 9m
●● How much weight should an SMB support? Answer: 10-20kg
●● How much line is needed for an (D)SMB? Answer: 1.25 x dive depth
●● When to use an SMB Answer: - drift dives
, - sites close to harbour and shipping lanes
- if risk of divers travelling far from entry point
- when the diver position needs to be know at all times
●● Conditions not suitable for an SMB? Answer: - wrecks
- sites with metal overhangs or nets
- gullies or on walls bellow kelp or coral
●● Precautions for SMB's Answer: - avoid entanglement
- ensure tell can be released quickly
- use as buddy line if needed (separation, low vis)
●● Types of DSMB Answer: 1. open-ended
2. Self sealing
3. Self-inflating
●● Advantage of open ended DSMB's Answer: - simple construction
- cheap
- compact, easy to carry
●● Disadvantage of open ended DSMB's Answer: - require manual
inflation
