Coast Guard Test Coast Guard Search and Rescue 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the acronym SAR stand for in Coast Guard operations?
- Search and Rescue (Correct answer)
- Safety and Recovery
- Ship and Radar
- Sea and River
Correct answer: Search and Rescue
SAR stands for Search and Rescue, the Coast Guard's core lifesaving mission.
Question 2: Which international system alerts rescuers to a vessel in distress via satellite?
- COSPAS-SARSAT (Correct answer)
- GPS
- AIS
- LORAN
Correct answer: COSPAS-SARSAT
COSPAS-SARSAT detects emergency beacon signals and relays them to rescue authorities via satellite.
Question 3: What is the standard international distress frequency for voice radio at sea?
- VHF Channel 16 (Correct answer)
- VHF Channel 9
- VHF Channel 22
- VHF Channel 13
Correct answer: VHF Channel 16
VHF Channel 16 (156.8 MHz) is the international hailing and distress frequency monitored by the Coast Guard.
Question 4: A survivor's chance of survival in cold water decreases mainly due to what condition?
- Hypothermia (Correct answer)
- Dehydration
- Sunburn
- Seasickness
Correct answer: Hypothermia
Hypothermia sets in quickly in cold water, making rapid rescue critical to survival.
Question 5: What color are Coast Guard search and rescue helicopters typically painted?
- Orange and white (Correct answer)
- Gray
- Blue and white
- Black
Correct answer: Orange and white
Coast Guard aircraft use a distinctive orange and white scheme for high visibility.
Question 6: Who coordinates a large SAR case within a Coast Guard sector?
- SAR Mission Coordinator (Correct answer)
- Ship's cook
- Boarding officer
- Port authority
Correct answer: SAR Mission Coordinator
The SAR Mission Coordinator (SMC) directs and manages the overall response to a distress case.
Question 7: What device automatically transmits a distress signal when a vessel sinks?
- EPIRB (Correct answer)
- Compass
- Depth sounder
- Barometer
Correct answer: EPIRB
An EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) activates in water and broadcasts the vessel's location.
What does the acronym SAR stand for in Coast Guard operations?