Cavern Diver Course Final Exam

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Cavern Diver Course Final Exam Directions: Read each question carefully before answering • Choose the best possible answer from those available (many answers may have some truth to them; choose the one that is clearly best) • Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet provided; do not write on this test • Use a pen or fine point permanent ink marker; no pencils allowed • If you later change your mind, make a large X over the incorrect answer; then mark the correct answer as you normally would

Cavern Diver Safety and The Cavern/Cave Environment the Limits of Training 4 Cave/cavern conservation and landowner relations include all of the following, except: 1 To remain within the limits of Cavern Diver training, divers A Choose sites in accordance with your skill level and must adhere to all of the following except: experience; do not use sites that are beyond your ability to A Remain close enough to the cavern entrance and surface of dive in an environmentally sound manner the water to be able to make an Emergency Swimming B Always use the modified flutter kick, as no other propulsion Ascent (ESA) technique is as appropriate for every cavern B Keep the cavern entrance within sight at least 75 percent C Do not dive any cavern without permission of the time D Learn and follow whatever rules are in effect at any C Do not make cavern dives whose depth and bottom time particular site require mandatory stage decompression D Do not pass through restrictions as part of a cavern dive 5 Which of the following is not one of the four basic types of underwater caverns and caves? 2 Which of the following is true? A Coral A Certified Cavern Divers may conduct guided cavern dives B Seismic for non-cavern-certified, open-water divers—providing the C Lava tube dives fall within the limits of Cavern Diver training D Dissolution B Certified Cavern Divers may take part in dives that fall within the Intro-to-Cave Diver training limits—providing 6 Dissolution caverns and caves are typically found in what they are properly equipped (i.e., redundant first stages), type of environment? and are being guided by a diver certified to the Intro-to- Cave level or higher A Igneous C Certified Cavern Divers may accompany one another on B Sedentary cavern dives that fall within the limits of Cavern Diver C Karst training D Flowstone D Divers must be certified to at least the Apprentice Cave level to be able to dive caverns located in Florida’s State 7 The benefits of diving springs (as opposed to siphons) Parks and Recreation areas generally include all of the following, except: A Better visibility 3 Which of the following does not reflect one of the five rules B Easier to enter of accident analysis? C Less time, energy and breathing gas required to exit A Be trained for cavern or cave diving; remain well within the limits of your training and experience—and within those of D Greater overall safety margin the least qualified member of the team B Run a continuous guideline to open water C Keep at least half your starting gas supply, plus an additional 200 psi/15 bar, in reserve to exit the cavern D Remain within the safe operational limits of your breathing medium © 1997, Harry Averill Version Date: October 25, 1997 Cavern Diver Course Final Exam Page 2 of 6

8 Which of the following statements is not true? 14 Which of the following statements best describes a restriction? A Siphons may result from the level of adjacent rivers, or A A rule in effect at a particular dive site that limits other bodies of water, rising above that of the aquifer participation by divers below a certain certification level B Siphons only occur during certain times of year B A portion of a tunnel that is at least 50 percent narrower C The siphon side of a sinkhole is often clear than the average diameter of the balance of the conduit D Siphons appropriate for experienced cavern divers exist, C An opening or passageway that is too narrow for two divers but are rare to pass through side by side D A safety feature built into most regulator first stages 9 Which of the following statements is not true? A Among the greatest hazards of cavern and cave diving is 15 Which of the following statements best describes a line trap? the inability to make a direct ascent to the surface A The space between a guideline reel’s spool and frame in B Darkness greatly impairs divers’ ability to move quickly which the guideline often jams and efficiently B The opening along the face of a reel through which the C Loss of visibility caused by disturbance of silt is nowhere guideline passes, thus helping prevent jams near as stressful, nor as potentially dangerous, as being in C A technique cavern divers use to help prevent guideline tie- total darkness offs or placements from accidentally becoming undone D Being under water with a limited breathing gas supply D An opening into which a guideline may be pulled that is too makes cavern diving vastly more hazardous than exploring narrow for divers to enter comparable above-water chambers

10 Which of the following sediments is most easily disturbed? A Sand Cavern Diving Equipment B Mud 16 Important considerations in selecting a primary dive light for C Clay cavern diving include all of the following, except: D Goethite A Handle configuration and/or overall size and shape of light facilitates its use with reels 11 Which of the following sediments, once disturbed, remains in B Beam shape and intensity comparable to that of other team suspension longest? members’ lights to facilitate signalling A Sand C Wrist lanyard tensile strength tested and rated by B Mud Underwriters Laboratory (UL) C Clay D Anticipated “burn” time equals or exceeds that of the dive D Goethite 17 Which of the following statements concerning backup lights 12 Which of the following is least likely to cause the disturbance is true? of silt? A Cavern divers must carry at least two battery-powered A Poor buoyancy control/body position backup lights in addition to their primary dive light B Use of a modified flutter or frog kick B At least one backup light must be equal to the diver’s primary light in size and output C Dangling equipment C To reduce the potential for leakage, backup lights should D Divers’ exhaust bubbles employ magnetic switch mechanisms 13 Which of the following is least likely to be an indicator of the D Most cavern divers prefer to use nonrechargeable batteries presence or absence of current? in their backup lights, due to these batteries’ greater reliability and lower maintenance requirements A The ease or difficulty of entering or exiting a cavern B The presence or absence of silt on the floor of a cavern C The presence of a boil on the surface of the water D Water color

18 Which of the following statements is not true? 23 Which of the following statements is not always true A Snorkels serve no function in cavern diving and may cause regarding proper weighting? entanglement A Divers should always wear the least quantity of weight B Whenever possible, secure excess fin strap with duct tape possible to help reduce the possibility of it becoming entangled in B With his or her lungs half full, a properly weighted diver guideline will float at eye level at the surface C If cavern divers must carry weight to offset positive C In open water, a properly weighted diver with 500–1,000 buoyancy, they should do so only in quick-release weight- psi/15–35 bar of breathing gas remaining will be able to system pockets or on conventional weight belts hover motionless at safety-stop depth, with no air in his or D It is best if cavern divers can feel the guideline with their her BC fingertips; consequently, they should only wear gloves when D A properly weighted diver wearing a full-length, 0.25- water temperature is low enough to make doing so inch/6.5mm neoprene foam exposure suit will be most absolutely necessary likely not be able to initiate a descent simply by venting his or her BC 19 For which of the following information is it most essential that cavern divers have instruments and/or gauges to 24 Should a cavern diver wearing a full-length, 0.25-in/6.5mm monitor? neoprene foam exposure suit require weight, the first 3–5 A Depth and time lbs/1–2kg of such weight should be: B Direction A Worn in the form of ankle weights encircling the tank neck C Water temperature B Worn as a drop weight and left, clipped to the line, near the cavern entrance D Visibility C Strapped to the BC shoulder straps to help ensure better 20 Which of the following equipment is not essential for cavern body position diving? D Included with any other required weight in quick-release A One primary reel per team weight pockets or on a conventional weight belt B One safety reel per diver C At least one compact—but razor-sharp and reliable—knife or cutting tool per diver Cavern Diving Techniques D At least three line arrows and/or clothespins per diver and Procedures 21 Which of the following is not a primary consideration when 25 Acceptable propulsion techniques for cavern diving include all choosing attachment hardware for lights and reels? of the following, except: A Likelihood that a particular snap or clip design will open A Standard flutter kick accidentally, or that attachment hardware will break, causing loss of equipment B Modified flutter kick B Likelihood that a snap, clip or other attachment hardware C Frog kick will become accidentally entangled in guideline D Pulling (“pull and glide”) C Choice of 440 stainless steel over brass for freshwater diving 26 For pulling (“pull and glide”) to be an acceptable propulsion technique, most or all of the following criteria should apply, D Ease of operation by touch or feel alone except: 22 Which of the following is not a primary consideration for A The presence of substantial flow (current) makes kicking overall cavern diving equipment configuration? inefficient A Elimination of dangling/potentially entangling equipment B The cavern walls have a deep, uniform black appearance B Accessibility of equipment C There are a significant number of potential hand placements present that have already been touched and C Achieving a horizontal body position for greater used by other divers streamlining and to minimize the tendency to disturb silt D The use of hand placements for pulling will likely cause D Having an entirely redundant breathing gas supply less environmental damage than uncontrolled kicking

27 When running a reel, cavern divers should do all of the 32 All team members are using identical cylinders. All have following, except: starting pressures of 3200 psi. If strictly adhering to the Rule A Make a primary tie-off in open water of Thirds, what is the turnaround point for each diver? B Make a secondary tie-off inside the cavern, as close to the A 2000 psi entrance as possible B 2100 psi C Make several additional tie-offs inside the cavern to help C 2200 psi keep the guideline under control D 2300 psi D Avoid other teams’ guidelines 33 Two dive buddies are using identical cylinders. Diver A’s 28 Line protocol includes all of the following, except: starting pressure is 2900 psi; diver B’s is 3100. If strictly A Do not use another team’s tie-offs adhering to the Rule of Thirds, what is the turnaround point for each diver? B Do not cross another team’s line A 1800 psi for diver A; 2000 psi for diver B C Do not lay a guideline so as to impede another team’s exit B 1800 psi for diver A; 2100 psi for diver B D Whenever possible, use the highest tie-off points available to keep the guideline well away from the cavern floor C 2000 psi for diver A; 2100 psi for diver B D 2000 psi for diver A; 2200 psi for diver B 29 Which of the following statements is not true regarding guideline use? 34 Which of the following statements is not true? A The second team member should provide illumination for A All other factors being equal, the team member with the the team leader, whenever the leader is making tie-offs greatest overall cave(rn) experience and/or the greatest B All team members should stay well away from the team experience at this particular site should be team leader leader when he or she is reeling out—especially in high B Due to the recreational nature of cavern diving, a limiting flow situations pp02 of 1.6 atmosphere is acceptable C All team members should maintain physical contact (“okay” C Any team member can “call” the dive at any time, for any on the line) during normal exits reason D The second team member can provide valuable assistance D If a cavern diving team penetrates far enough to encounter while exiting by “pulling” the secondary (and any a permanent guideline, they most likely have gone too far additional) tie-offs for the team leader 35 Elements of an in-water, pre-dive check may include all of the 30 All of the following are true, except: following, except: A Although cavern divers should always have an awareness A Inspection and testing of major equipment components, of where the guideline is, and remain as close to it as including: checking cylinder valve position; breathing from possible, there is no reason to maintain physical contact both second stages; bubble check to ensure cylinder with the guideline when visibility is good; in fact, doing so valve/first stage integrity; testing all dive lights; checking may cause problems reel(s) for presence, location and lock down; checking for B Always cross over a guideline; never under it presence and location of knife/cutting tool C Under normal conditions, cavern divers should always B Air-sharing practice (“S” drill) remain in the same position, relative to one another and the C Tank-removal practice (“Restriction Push” drill) guideline (i.e., first in, last out/last in, first out) D Review of dive plan D In an emergency, the distressed diver’s position should be to the immediate right of the team leader 36 Improper testing of backup lights prior to a dive may result in their: 31 A cavern diving team’s dive plan should address: A Accidentally coming on during the dive A Sequence of team members during the dive B Losing a substantial portion of their potential “burn” time B Breathing gas turnaround points for all team members during the dive C Planned and maximum allowable dive depth and duration, C Accidentally flooding during the dive and anticipated turnaround time D All of the above D All of the above

43 Sources of physiological stress in cavern diving may include Cavern Diving Communication all of the following, except: 37 All of the following are commonly used cavern diving light A Cold signals, except: B Exertion A Okay?/Okay! C Equipment-related problems B Attention D Perceptual narrowing C Emergency! 44 Signs of stress in others may include all of the following, D Share air! except: 38 All of the following are “command” signals, except: A Fixation on guideline or instruments A Okay?/Okay! B Precise control of buoyancy B Slow Down C Lack of response to signals C Hold (Stop) D Clumsy, uncoordinated movement D Surface (“Call” the Dive) 45 All of the following statements are true, except: 39 Hand signals involving the use of crossed fingers to indicate A No amount of stress is beneficial to cavern divers “line” commonly include all of the following, except: B An accumulation of psychological and physiological A Tie off stresses is often referred to as task loading B Slack off C Panic is a sudden, unreasoning response to high levels of stress C Reel out D The best response to high levels of stress is to simply: stop; D Entanglement breathe slowly and deeply; think carefully and rationally about solutions to the problem(s); take the action most 40 Commonly used hand signals for cavern diving include all of likely to solve the problem the following, except: A Air pocket 46 Symptoms of stress in yourself may include all of the B Silt following, except: C Bubbles A Loss of concentration D Question B An inexplicable feeling of well being C Perceptual narrowing 41 The communication technique required by low-visibility/no- D Anxiety; frustration visibility situations is: A The Exley method 47 All of the following can help reduce stress, except: B Contact-Release A Adequate rest, sensible diet, regular exercise C Touch-Contact B Frequent practice of critical skills D Redundant guidelines C Gaining cave(rn) diving experience slowly D Gradually working to increase personal tolerance for nitrogen narcosis Stress Management

42 Sources of psychological stress in cavern diving may include all of the following, except: A Time pressure B Peer pressure C Exertion D Threat to ego; self doubt

51 In which of the following emergencies is it not absolutely Emergency Procedures necessary to leave the guideline in the cavern, to be removed later? 48 Which of the following is not a significant consideration when dealing with a cavern diving emergency? A Lost diver A Ensuring that each diver’s breathing gas supply never B Loss of visibility drops below the agreed-upon turnaround point C Primary light failure B Team sequence is re-established as quickly as possible D Loss of breathing gas supply C Clear communication is maintained throughout the emergency 52 If you find yourself separated from the rest of your team, and are unable to see the cavern entrance or guideline, it is most D All team members are able to exit the cavern as quickly as important you not: possible, and with the least possible overall risk A Waste any time before immediately searching for the exit 49 Appropriate procedures for primary light failure generally B Leave the spot where you first realized your were lost include all of the following, except: without first tying off your safety reel A Switch to backup light C Breathe deeply, as this wastes precious breathing gas B Alert fellow team members D None of the above C Be sure you are close to and, if necessary, establish contact with the guideline D Continue the dive

50 In situations involving total or near-total loss of visibility, it is important for all team members to: A Quickly establish physical contact with the guideline B Establish communication with one another through touch- contact C Exit the cavern D All of the above