True or False bailout air must always be immediately accessible to the diver?

• A. False
• B. True
• C. It depends
• D. Bailout air is optional

Answer: (B)

Having bailout air immediately accessible is essential because a diver may suddenly lose the ability to breathe from the primary gas supply. In such moments, every second counts, so the diver must be able to reach, activate, and breathe from the emergency gas with minimal or no delay. This is why bailout cylinders are configured and stowed in a place and orientation that allows a quick, one-handed switch, and why equipment is checked before every dive to ensure the gas is ready to use without searching or rearranging gear. If accessing the bailout required time, extra steps, or difficult maneuvers, the risk of panic, hypoxia, or worse increases significantly, which is why the guidance emphasizes immediate accessibility.