SAR Fundamentals Practice Questions
BM3 Valzania
What is the voice distress signal used to indicate that a person or craft is threatened by
imminent danger and requires immediate assistance?
Correct answer: MAYDAY
The safety broadcast proword indicating that the calling station is about to transmit important
meteorological information is _____.
Correct answer: SECURITE
You would determine a report of a possible overdue vessel from a fishing trip as a/an _____
distress.
Correct answer: potential
What type of broadcast solicits the voluntary response from anyone who can assist a mariner
who is not in distress, but still in need of assistance?
Correct answer: MARB
The homing signal from a 406 MHz EPIRB is on what frequency?
Correct answer: 121.5 MHz
A broadcast that does not include position and/or identification information sufficient to
generate a reasonable search area is a/an _____.
Correct answer: uncorrelated distress
You receive a report of a vessel fire from the dock master of a local marina. The incident is a/an
_____ distress.
Correct answer: actual
What keyword is associated with the ALERT Emergency Phase?
Correct answer: Apprehension
A case where the subject reported to be in distress is confirmed not to be in distress and not in
need of assistance is a/an _____.
Correct answer: false alert
You alert the SAR facilities during what stage of the SAR System?
Correct answer: Initial Actions
You receive a phone call. What stage of the SAR System is this a key element?
Correct answer: Awareness
You conduct a parallel search during the _____ stage.
Correct answer: Operations
You deploy resources, implement your search plan, and rescue survivors during the _________
stage of the SAR system.
Correct answer: Operations
You prepare the documentation of the SAR case during the _____ stage.
Correct answer: Conclusion
What keyword is associated with the ALERT Emergency Phase?
Correct answer: Apprehension
During what stage of the SAR System do you specify the search area?
Correct answer: Planning
When you are notified of a situation that needs to be monitored or needs more information,
but does not require dispatching resources, you would classify the emergency phase as _____.
Correct answer: uncertainty
What is a MEDICO?
Correct answer: Medical advice
When possible, SAR incident data should be collected from the reporting source, with the
MOST important information gathered first in case communications are lost. What are the four
most important pieces of information that should be gathered first?
Correct answer: Last Known Position (LKP), Nature of Distress (NOD), Persons On Board (POB),
and Description
When is the SAR system deactivated or shut down?
Correct answer: When all hope is lost, when determined to be a false alarm, Surivivors are
rescued, All of the above
What are the seven paragraphs of a SAP?
Correct answer: Situation, Reports, Action, Search Area, Execution, Coordination,
Communications
What component of the SAR system would cover the centralized control and coordination?
Correct answer: Organization
You collect and analyze SAR information as a function of the _____ component of the SAR
system.
Correct answer: Documentation
You alert the SAR facilities during what stage of the SAR System?
Correct answer: Initial Actions
Who should be contacted during cases involving injuries?
Correct answer: Flight Surgeon
What is a MEDEVAC?
Correct answer: Medical evacuation
When is the On Scene Coordinator required to send a SITREP to the SMC?
Correct answer: Once a day
What are the five paragraphs of a SITREP?
Correct answer: Situation, Action Taken, Future Plans and Recommendations, Amplifying
Information, Case Status
Medical care is a function of the _____ component of the SAR system.
Correct answer: Emergency Care
An SRU should contact the OSC how many minutes prior to arrival in their search area?
Correct answer: 15 minutes
What is the importance of 14 USC 88?
Correct answer: Gives the Coast Guard the right to conduct search & rescue.
What type of resources includes Auxiliary vessels?
Correct answer: Traditional
The equipment you use to receive and coordinate SAR responses is part of the _____
component of the SAR system.
Correct answer: Communications
What type of resources includes fishing vessels?
Correct answer: Non-traditional
What resource is operated by a group of civilians under the direction of the Coast Guard?
Correct answer: Coast Guard Auxiliary
What type of resources includes marine patrol vessels?
Correct answer: Other agencies
When you receive a distress call, are you required by law to “go out” for search and rescue?
Correct answer: No
What criteria should be considered when selecting the OSC?
Correct answer: On scene capabilities, Familiarity with SAR, First SRU on scene, All are correct
The primary responsibility of an OSC is to _____.
Correct answer: coordinate efforts on scene
Commercial Vessels have a “legal” obligation to assist mariners in distress.
Correct answer: True
A SAR incident occurs within the EEZ of a foreign country. Your patrol vessel is closer to the
position of the incident than a foreign country's rescue vessel. Given this situation, can you
enter the EEZ of a foreign state?
Correct answer: Yes
Does the Coast Guard have the right to enter posted “Private Property” to conduct SAR?
Correct answer: Yes
A vessel is found abandoned. It is beached with no registration or any identifying information.
You determine that it has been reported as missing. Can you claim it and turn it into a morale
boat for your unit?
Correct answer: No
You dispatch an "on duty" Auxiliary vessel to handle a routine disabled vessel. Problems arise
while towing the vessel to the marina and the vessel ends up damaged due to miscalculation on
the part of the Auxiliary operator. Is the Coast Guard responsible for the damage?
Correct answer: Yes, the Auxiliary is part of the Coast Guard and the operator made a mistake.
Even though it had reduction gear problems, an MLB was dispatched to tow a disabled cabin
cruiser. During the tow, the boat owner slipped and fell in the water. The Coast Guard crew
cut the tow, fouling the only screw that could reverse direction. Returning as quickly as
possible, they could not reach the boat owner before he drowned. Was the Coast Guard
negligent?
Correct answer: No
Salvage operations shall be performed at the discretion of the _____.
Correct answer: CO/OIC
Where can you find Coast Guard Policy on commercial assistance?
Correct answer: Chapter 4 of the Coast Guard Addendum to the National Search and Rescue
Manual
In cases involving towing by the Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary, the vessel being assisted
will normally be taken to _____.
Correct answer: the nearest safe haven
Which of the following best describes the Coast Guard’s relationship with a commercial salvor?
Correct answer: The CG can pass a tow off to a commercial salvor if he is capable and can
intervene with their operations if the situation is not under control, assisting until remedied or
relieving if necessary
A benefit of a good relationship between the Coast Guard and the public is _____.
Correct answer: All are correct
Who can be an official Coast Guard spokesperson?
Correct answer: Any Coast Guard member
When you communicate with the media, you should _____.
Correct answer: State only the facts
A capsized boat was located off shore. The boat operator is missing. The search was
unsuccessful. The body of the missing boater was later found outside the search area. During an
interview, a reporter raises the question of liability. What is your response?
Correct answer: The matter is under investigation.
You are in the early stages of a search for a missing boater. The UMIB issued had one hit.
Another fisherman reported sighting the boat before sunset. A helo conducted first light search
with no sightings. You have been assigned as the OSC. AS you are preparing to get underway to
the search area, a reporter approaches you. The reporter asks for the names of the missing
fisherman. How would you respond?
Correct answer: We have confirmed that two persons are aboard the missing craft. We cannot
release their names at this time.
A fisherman is reported missing. You have been assigned as the OSC. Prior to getting underway,
you are approached by a reporter. The reporter asks you what you think happened to the
fisherman. What principle would you apply in your response?
Correct answer: Don’t speculate on the incident
You should release information to the public early in a SAR incident to reduce inaccurate public
speculation about the search.
Correct answer: True
As a Coast Guard spokesperson, you can release any details of a SAR mission as long as it is
accurate.
Correct answer: False
You are being interviewed on a recent boating mishap involving injuries. What technique would
you use to address the importance of wearing flotation devices?
Correct answer: Hooking
What is the term used to describe the most probable location of a search object, corrected for
movement over time?
Correct answer: Datum
What is another term for “Directional Uncertainty”?
Correct answer: Divergence
Wind currents should be determined when water depths exceed 100-feet, and distance from
shore is greater than how many miles?
Correct answer: 20 NM
What is the most reliable source of “Total Water Current”?
Correct answer: Datum Marker Buoy (DMB)
A Datum Marker Buoy CANNOT provide historical drift data.
Correct answer: True
“The movement through the water caused by winds blowing against the exposed surface of the
search object” is referred to as _____.
Correct answer: Leeway
What environment is Leeway computed for?
Correct answer: Oceanic and Coastal
What coastal current describes the horizontal movement of water caused by the gravitational
pull of the sun and the moon?
Correct answer: Tidal Current
Sea Current (SC) is generally assumed to exist when what two criteria are met?
Correct answer: Location is more than 25NM offshore and the water depth is more than 300
feet.
What environment are tidal currents computed for?
Correct answer: Coastal
Tidal currents account for the _____.
Correct answer: horizontal movement of the water
The type of current that is generated by wind acting upon the surface of the water over a
period of time is _____.
Correct answer: Wind Current (WC)
How much attainable search area can an HH-65 search, flying at 90-knots with a 2NM track
spacing and an on scene endurance of 1.5 hours? Don’t forget to account for turns and sighting
identification!
Correct answer: 229.5 SQNM
On scene endurance is reduced by what percentage to account for turns and sighting
identification to arrive at search endurance?
Correct answer: 15%
How much area can an HH-65 search, flying at 90-knots with a 2NM track spacing and an on
scene endurance of 1.5 hours? Don’t forget to account for turns and sighting identification!
Correct answer: A \= 229.5 SQNM
How much area can a 41-foot Utility Boat cover, searching at 12-knots with a track spacing of
2NM and an on scene endurance of 4 hours? Don’t forget to account for turns and sighting
identification!
Correct answer: 81.6 SQNM
What is “Search Effort”?
Correct answer: A measure of your search capability
On scene endurance is reduced by what percentage to account for turns and sighting
identification to arrive at search endurance?
Correct answer: 15% (multiply by .85)
The standard value track spacing you would use for an initial search for a PIW is _____ up to the
SRU's minimum ability to navigate.
Correct answer: 0.1 NM
What is referred to as the distance on both sides of the SRU where the probability of detecting
a target outside of the sweep width is equal to the probability of missing a target inside the
distance?
Correct answer: Sweep Width
What is the term for “W”?
Correct answer: Corrected Sweep Width
The values listed in the uncorrected sweep width tables are reduced by what percentage if the
SRU indicates that the search crews are excessively fatigued?
Correct answer: 10%
Sweep Width is defined as _____.
Correct answer: a measure of the effectiveness with which a particular sensor can detect a
particular object under specific environmental conditions.
A Coverage Factor (C) of 1.0 indicates _____.
Correct answer: the corrected sweep width is equal to the track spacing
A Coverage Factor (C) of 2.0 would be appropriate when _____.
Correct answer: search assets are plentiful
What is the formula for calculating “POS”?
Correct answer: POD x POC
Refer to the following search pattern when answering the question. The arrows indicate the
direction of the SRU’s travel. The Commence Search Point (CSP) is located in the _____ corner.
Correct answer: northwest
A searched area is depicted by _____.
Correct answer: shading or hash marking the area searched
Refer to the following search pattern when answering the question. The arrows indicate the
direction of the SRU’s travel. What is the direction of creep?
Correct answer: South
Where is the Commence Search Point (CSP) located on a Creeping Line or Parallel search
pattern?
Correct answer: ½ trackspace (S) in from the sides
What is the abbreviated designation for an expanding square, single unit search pattern?
Correct answer: SS
You have been tasked to conduct an Expanding Square (SS) search pattern with a track spacing
of 1NM. How long will your fourth search leg be?
Correct answer: 2 NM
Refer to the following search pattern when answering question. The arrows indicate the
direction of the SRU’s travel. What type of search pattern is depicted?
Correct answer: Creeping line
When conducting a parallel search, how are the search legs to the major axis?
Correct answer: Parallel
What search pattern is used to cover a large area uniformly when there is equal probability of
the target being anywhere in the search area?
Correct answer: Parallel
What search pattern is best used when the target location is equally likely to be anywhere in
the search area? This is the simplest search pattern and the legs are parallel to the major axis.
Correct answer: Parallel
In what direction does the second unit commence their search in a VM?
Correct answer: 90˚ to the left
What type of search pattern is used when datum is established within close limits, the area to
be searched is not extensive, and a concentration of effort is desired at datum?
Correct answer: Sector
The PS search pattern runs along the _____ axis.
Correct answer: Major
The first leg of a sector search is normally in the direction of _____.
Correct answer: Total Surface Drift
A vessel has been reported overdue on a voyage and the only information known is the time of
departure and intended route. What is the appropriate search pattern to use?
Correct answer: CS
What search pattern is best used when it is confident that the datum is within close limits, the
first leg is in the direction of the drift, and all course changes are 90 degrees to the right?
Correct answer: Square
What search pattern is best used when there is high confidence in datum within a small search
area?
Correct answer: Sector
What type of search pattern is used when datum is established within close limits, the area to
be searched is not extensive, and a concentration of effort is desired at datum?
Correct answer: Sector
What type of search pattern has its search legs increasing by 1 track spacing every other search
leg?
Correct answer: Expanding square
How are the search legs of a barrier search conducted?
Correct answer: Perpendicular to the direction of drift
The distance between two adjacent parallel search legs is called _____.
Correct answer: Track Spacing
Refer to the following search pattern when answering question. The arrows indicate the
direction of the SRU’s travel. When there is a greater chance that the target is at one end of the
search area, which type of search pattern would you choose?
Correct answer: Creeping line
What type of search pattern is used to search a large area uniformly, covering one end of the
search area first?
Correct answer: Creeping line
What search pattern is best used when you are searching a track or bearing?
Correct answer: Trackline
The CS search pattern runs along the _____ axis.
Correct answer: Minor
Refer to the following search pattern when answering question. The arrows indicate the
direction of the SRU’s travel. When there is a greater chance that the target is at one end of the
search area, which type of search pattern would you choose?
Correct answer: Creeping line
A barrier search is used when _____.
Correct answer: a strong current exists
What color flare is considered distress?
Correct answer: Red
A concerned citizen just reported a flare with a rapid rise and fall. The reporting source
described a _____.
Correct answer: Meteor flare
The flare type that has no apparent rise or fall is _____ flare.
Correct answer: Handheld
What type of flare has a rapid rise and a slow decent?
Correct answer: Parachute flare
The flare type that has burn duration of approximately 5 seconds is _____ flare.
Your answer (correct): Meteor
When using the Fist Method to determine the angle of observation of a flare, ¼ of a fist is equal
to how many degrees?
Your answer (correct): 2 degrees
Using the clock method, if the reporting source was facing due north, what bearing would the
flare have been seen if the reporting source said the flare was seen at 2 o’clock?
Correct answer: 060 degrees True
Who is responsible for risk management?
OSC; SMC; RCC; All are correct
What risk management model identifies the risk factors to consider?
Correct answer: PEACE
What Risk assessment model is used to measure risk?
Correct answer: GAR
What factor is not considered in the GAR model?
Correct answer: Severity
What Risk Management model is used to identify options in order to reduce operational risk?
Correct answer: STAAR
The STAAR model is used to _____.
Correct answer: identify options
What are the 2 main causes of Risk management breakdown?
Correct answer: Inadequate communications and loss of situational awareness
What is one of the assumptions you can make in a risk assessment and management program?
Correct answer: Every event requires balancing risk by applying adequate control.
What generally must be established before launching a search for an Overdue case?
Correct answer: Confirm departure and non-arrival of the vessel
The unreported case is defined as _______________.
Correct answer: A vessel fails to contact someone at a specific time
What must be considered when evaluating the Emergency Phase classification for an Overdue
case?
General weather reports; Age of the crew; Vessel size/type; All of these must be considered
After determining that you have an Overdue or Unreported vessel, the next action should be to
___________:
Correct answer: Issue an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast (UMIB)