SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Practice Exam

Dive planning elements may include all of the following except:

1. Purpose of the dive.

2. Notifying a third party of your plans.

3. Reviewing hand signals.

4. Deciding whose computer to follow.

The correct answer is: Deciding whose computer to follow.

In dive planning, essential elements typically include aspects that ensure both safety and mutual understanding among divers. The purpose of the dive helps establish goals and expectations, allowing divers to prepare specifically for the intended activity, whether it’s a recreational dive, an exploration dive, or a training exercise. Notifying a third party of your plans is a critical safety protocol, as it provides a layer of security by ensuring that someone outside the diving group is aware of your intended location and timing, which is particularly important in case of emergencies. Reviewing hand signals is fundamental in maintaining clear communication underwater, where vocal communication is impossible due to water absorption of sound. Deciding whose computer to follow is not a standard element in dive planning. While divers might choose to rely on each other's dive computers during the dive, particularly if one diver has more experience or if the group is using multiple computers, the focus is usually on each diver using their own computer and establishing their own dive parameters. This practice promotes individual responsibility and safety, as relying on another diver's device can lead to confusion or mismanagement of dive profiles.