Georgia Hunter Safety Practice Exam

What must you do if you cannot equalize your ears while diving?

1. Dive to a shallow depth

2. Do not dive to any depth

3. Use a safety line

4. Seek assistance immediately

The correct answer is: Do not dive to any depth

If you cannot equalize your ears while diving, it is crucial to refrain from diving to any depth. Equalizing your ears is essential to ensure that the pressure inside your ears matches the surrounding water pressure. If you attempt to dive without being able to equalize, you can experience discomfort or, in more severe cases, a barotrauma, which can lead to possible injuries such as ruptured eardrums. Remaining at the surface is the safest course of action, as it prevents any potential harm that may arise from pressure changes that your body cannot accommodate. Even if other options might seem viable, such as diving shallowly or using a safety line, the fundamental issue is that without proper equalization, diving is inherently unsafe. Seeking assistance can be helpful if needed, but the immediate response must be to avoid descending altogether until proper equalization techniques can be effectively applied.