SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Practice Exam

What is the minimum information provided by dive computers while in dive mode?

1. Current depth

2. Actual bottom time

3. Decompression status

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: All of the above

The minimum information provided by dive computers while in dive mode includes crucial data that is essential for safely managing a dive. Dive computers are designed to track various parameters in real-time and provide divers with key metrics that guide their underwater experience. Current depth refers to how deep the diver is in the water at any given moment, which is essential for monitoring the dive profile and ensuring that the diver stays within safe limits for both the environment and their body. Actual bottom time is the total time spent at the current depth, which helps divers keep track of how long they have been submerged and is vital for calculating decompression requirements and for planning ascent to avoid decompression sickness. Decompression status indicates whether a diver needs to make safety stops or ascend at a particular rate to avoid coming up too quickly, which can lead to decompression sickness, commonly known as 'the bends.' Since each of these components is integral to safe diving practices, the correct response encompasses all fundamental information that a diver requires for effective underwater navigation and safety management. This reflects the dive computer's role in providing real-time feedback thus ensuring divers can make informed decisions throughout their dive.