Coast Guard Test Coast Guard Emergency Response 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is hypothermia's primary cause in a marine emergency?
- Sunburn
- Prolonged exposure to cold water or air (Correct answer)
- Dehydration
- Seasickness
Correct answer: Prolonged exposure to cold water or air
Hypothermia results from prolonged exposure to cold, especially immersion in cold water, lowering core body temperature.
Question 2: What position should a person adopt in cold water to conserve heat when alone?
- Swimming continuously
- The HELP position (Correct answer)
- Floating on the back and relaxing
- Treading water rapidly
Correct answer: The HELP position
The Heat Escape Lessening Posture (HELP) minimizes heat loss by drawing knees to the chest.
Question 3: When multiple survivors are in cold water together, which technique conserves heat?
- The huddle position (Correct answer)
- Spreading far apart
- Diving underwater
- Removing life jackets
Correct answer: The huddle position
The huddle position keeps survivors close together to share body heat and stay visible to rescuers.
Question 4: What is the recommended action if your vessel is taking on water faster than pumps can handle?
- Continue at full speed
- Issue a distress call and prepare to abandon ship (Correct answer)
- Turn off the radio
- Wait silently
Correct answer: Issue a distress call and prepare to abandon ship
When flooding exceeds pumping capacity, issuing a distress call and preparing to abandon ship is essential.
Question 5: What does a series of five or more short, rapid blasts on a vessel's horn indicate?
- A greeting
- Danger or doubt signal (Correct answer)
- Passing on the port side
- Anchoring
Correct answer: Danger or doubt signal
Five or more short, rapid blasts is the internationally recognized danger or doubt signal.
Question 6: What should be done first when treating a bleeding wound in a marine first aid emergency?
- Apply a tourniquet immediately
- Apply direct pressure to the wound (Correct answer)
- Give the victim water
- Elevate the head
Correct answer: Apply direct pressure to the wound
Direct pressure is the first and most effective step to control most bleeding.
Question 7: What is the purpose of a float plan before departing on a voyage?
- To calculate fuel costs
- To inform someone ashore of route and expected return (Correct answer)
- To register the boat
- To plan meals
Correct answer: To inform someone ashore of route and expected return
A float plan tells a responsible person ashore your route and schedule so rescue can begin if you fail to return.
Coast Guard Test Coast Guard Emergency Response 3
What is hypothermia's primary cause in a marine emergency?