CORE Boating Safety and Paddle Sports Education — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under U.S. Coast Guard regulations, which of the following persons on a recreational vessel is NOT required to wear a life jacket while underway?
- A child under 13 on any federally navigable water
- An adult swimmer who has gone overboard and is being recovered (Correct answer)
- A 16-year-old paddling a kayak in a coastal inlet
- An adult on a vessel less than 16 feet in length in rough conditions
Correct answer: An adult swimmer who has gone overboard and is being recovered
USCG regulations require children under 13 to wear approved PFDs while underway on federally navigable waters. Adults (and teens 13+) must have PFDs accessible but are not required to wear them in most states, though state laws vary. A person already in the water is not 'underway on a vessel.'
Question 2: When teaching the 'HELP' position to students, an outdoor educator is instructing them to adopt this posture primarily to:
- Signal rescuers from a distance by creating a visible body silhouette
- Reduce heat loss from the body's high-loss areas while awaiting rescue in cold water (Correct answer)
- Increase buoyancy by trapping air inside the life jacket
- Maintain a horizontal position to swim longer distances
Correct answer: Reduce heat loss from the body's high-loss areas while awaiting rescue in cold water
HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Position) — knees drawn up to the chest, arms crossed — protects the groin, sides, and neck, which lose heat rapidly in cold water. It can extend survival time significantly compared to treading water, which accelerates heat loss through movement.
Question 3: A student in a kayaking class capsizes in flatwater. The FIRST self-rescue skill they should attempt before signaling for assisted rescue is:
- Wet exit, swim to shore, and drain the kayak on land
- Wet exit, right the kayak, perform a paddle float re-entry (Correct answer)
- Remain in the cockpit and attempt an Eskimo roll
- Signal for help immediately by waving the paddle overhead
Correct answer: Wet exit, right the kayak, perform a paddle float re-entry
Paddler education curricula (ACA, TRAK) teach the paddle float re-entry as the primary solo self-rescue after a wet exit in flatwater. Remaining calm, wet-exiting safely, righting the boat, and using a paddle float gives the paddler the best chance of independent recovery before needing assistance.
Question 4: Under the Navigation Rules (ColRegs and Inland Rules), which vessel is considered the 'stand-on' vessel when a motorboat and a non-powered canoe meet in open water?
- The motorboat, because it can maneuver more quickly
- The canoe, because human-powered vessels always have right of way over motorized vessels (Correct answer)
- Whichever vessel is traveling downstream
- The vessel on the starboard side, regardless of propulsion type
Correct answer: The canoe, because human-powered vessels always have right of way over motorized vessels
Under both Inland and International Navigation Rules, non-powered vessels (sail, paddle, oar) have right of way over motorized vessels in most circumstances, making the canoe the stand-on vessel. The motorboat is the give-way vessel and must maneuver to avoid collision.
Question 5: A motorboat operator notices another vessel crossing from starboard to port ahead of them. Under the Navigation Rules, the correct action for the boat being crossed is:
- Maintain course and speed as the stand-on vessel (Correct answer)
- Turn to port to pass behind the crossing vessel
- Sound one blast and turn to starboard
- Reduce speed and let the crossing vessel pass at its own pace
Correct answer: Maintain course and speed as the stand-on vessel
When a vessel approaches from your starboard side in a crossing situation, you are the stand-on vessel and must maintain course and speed so the give-way vessel can predict your position. Turning to port (behind you) is prohibited as it can put you on a collision course.
Question 6: When inspecting a student's PFD before a paddle sports lesson, which condition requires replacing the PFD before the student may enter the water?
- The PFD is a different color than the rest of the group's equipment
- The flotation material is water-logged, compressed, or missing from one compartment (Correct answer)
- The PFD was purchased more than five years ago
- The PFD does not have a built-in whistle attached
Correct answer: The flotation material is water-logged, compressed, or missing from one compartment
A PFD with saturated, compressed, or absent flotation material will not provide rated buoyancy and fails as safety equipment. Age alone does not disqualify a PFD; the physical condition of the foam and all closures (buckles, zippers, straps) determines serviceability.
CORE Boating Safety and Paddle Sports Education
Under U.S.
Coast Guard regulations, which of the following persons on a recreational vessel is NOT required to wear a life jacket while underway?