SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Practice Exam

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Prepare for the SDI Open Water Diver Exam. Dive into multiple choice questions, hints, and explanations to gear up for the certification. Start your underwater adventure today!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

If you suspect that you or another diver is suffering from decompression sickness, what is the first step you should take?

Ignore the symptoms
Activate the emergency medical service system
Take pain relief medication
Go for a swim to relieve symptoms

The correct answer is: Activate the emergency medical service system

When a diver suspects decompression sickness, the immediate response should be to activate the emergency medical service system. This is crucial because decompression sickness, commonly known as "the bends," can lead to serious or life-threatening complications if not treated promptly and properly. Initiating emergency medical services ensures that professional medical assistance reaches the diver quickly and that appropriate care is provided. The treatment for decompression sickness typically involves administering oxygen and possibly using a hyperbaric chamber, both of which require specialized equipment and knowledge that laypersons do not possess. Other options, like ignoring the symptoms or taking pain relief medication, can exacerbate the situation, leading to worsened outcomes. Riding it out or attempting to alleviate symptoms by swimming could also increase the risk of further injury or complications. Hence, activating emergency services is the most critical and effective first step in dealing with the potential of decompression sickness.