If you find yourself alone and out of air at 30 feet in open water, what is the preferred action?

The preferred action when finding yourself alone and out of air at a depth of 30 feet is to perform an emergency swim ascent. This tactic is crucial because it helps you get to the surface where you can breathe fresh air and receive assistance. During an emergency ascent, it's important to control the ascent rate to avoid issues such as decompression sickness. This means ascending at a steady pace, generally not faster than 30 feet per minute, and making sure to exhale continuously to prevent lung over-expansion.

At this depth, the likelihood of remaining submerged can lead to a critical situation, so ascending directly rather than waiting or trying to signal for help is essential for your safety. While signaling for help might seem like a good option, it can also lead to a delay in getting assistance. Looking for the surface can be part of the emergency ascent, but without the immediate action of ascending, it may not be effective. Inflating your equipment may not be practical if you are already compromised and out of air; it could also lead to rapid ascents or uncontrolled buoyancy.

Thus, executing an emergency swim ascent combines immediate action with a focus on returning to safety, making it the most effective choice in this stressful and dangerous situation.