SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Practice Exam

What is the primary reason divers need to wear protection in warm waters despite the temperature?

1. To protect from sunburn

2. To avoid injuries from coral or marine life

3. To maintain body heat

4. To improve buoyancy

The correct answer is: To avoid injuries from coral or marine life

Divers need to wear protection in warm waters primarily to avoid injuries from coral or marine life. Even in warm environments, divers can encounter sharp corals, stinging organisms such as jellyfish, and other marine life that can inflict cuts, scrapes, or stings. Protective gear, such as wetsuits or dive skins, acts as a barrier between the diver's skin and these potential hazards, reducing the risk of injury and enhancing overall safety during the dive. While sunburn is a concern in tropical waters, the primary intent of wearing protection is to safeguard against physical injuries from the underwater environment, rather than solely to guard against UV exposure. Maintaining body heat is more critical in colder waters, and buoyancy adjustments are typically managed through the use of dive gear rather than protective clothing. Thus, the need for protection is focused on ensuring physical safety while exploring the underwater landscape.