SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Practice Exam 2025 - Free Scuba Diver Practice Questions and Study Guide

When you feel disoriented underwater, stopping and taking a moment to regain your bearings is crucial for your safety and well-being. This action allows you to orient yourself and assess your surroundings before deciding on a course of action. Disorientation can occur for various reasons, such as current changes, visibility issues, or sudden environmental shifts, and pausing gives you the opportunity to stabilize your thoughts and regain control.

Taking a moment to be still helps you to reduce panic and understand your position relative to your dive buddy, the dive site, and your exit point. It’s essential to remain calm and remember your training, which includes recognizing potential hazards and making informed decisions based on your environment.

Choosing to swim in any random direction can lead to further confusion or, worse, could potentially increase your risk of becoming lost or running into dangerous situations. Surfacing immediately without checking your surroundings might put you at risk of surfacing in an unsafe area, such as near boats or hazardous obstacles. Ignoring the feeling entirely and continuing to dive without addressing your disorientation can lead to a serious safety concern, as it may cloud your judgment and increase the risk of accidents.