EFMB Field Training & Endurance 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a field training exercise, a soldier collapses with suspected exertional heat stroke. The evacuation will take 45 minutes. What cooling method should be employed while awaiting transport?
- Place ice packs only on the groin and neck
- Wrap in a dry blanket to prevent chilling
- Apply wet sheets and fan continuously or use ice water immersion (Correct answer)
- Give cold water by mouth to lower core temperature
Correct answer: Apply wet sheets and fan continuously or use ice water immersion
Continuous evaporative cooling with wet sheets and fanning or ice water immersion should be maintained throughout evacuation to prevent organ damage.
Question 2: In an austere field environment, what is the most reliable indicator that a soldier is developing dehydration?
- Increased heart rate alone
- Body weight loss of 2% or more combined with dark urine (Correct answer)
- Complaint of thirst
- Decreased appetite
Correct answer: Body weight loss of 2% or more combined with dark urine
A body weight loss of 2% or more combined with dark-colored urine is the most reliable field indicator of clinically significant dehydration.
Question 3: A medic is treating a casualty for cold injuries when the casualty asks if you should rewarm a frostbitten foot if the soldier must still walk out. What is the correct answer?
- Yes, rewarm immediately regardless of circumstances
- No, do not rewarm if the soldier must walk — refreezing causes far worse tissue damage (Correct answer)
- Rewarm partially to the ankle level only
- Rewarm only if shelter is within 1 hour
Correct answer: No, do not rewarm if the soldier must walk — refreezing causes far worse tissue damage
Frostbite should NOT be rewarmed if refreezing is possible — walking on frozen tissue causes less damage than the freeze-thaw-refreeze cycle.
Question 4: During sustained operations, a medic notices multiple soldiers showing signs of psychological stress — irritability, poor concentration, and tremors. After 72 hours of continuous operations, what condition should be considered?
- Acute combat stress reaction
- Sleep deprivation syndrome (Correct answer)
- PTSD
- Malnutrition
Correct answer: Sleep deprivation syndrome
After 72 hours of sleep deprivation, these symptoms represent severe sleep deprivation syndrome requiring mandatory rest.
Question 5: What is the purpose of the 'buddy system' enforced during EFMB field training events?
- To reduce the number of graders needed
- To ensure candidates share equipment
- To provide mutual aid and safety observation during endurance tasks (Correct answer)
- It is only used during land navigation
Correct answer: To provide mutual aid and safety observation during endurance tasks
The buddy system ensures that candidates can observe each other for signs of heat injury, exhaustion, or medical emergency during physically demanding events.
Question 6: A soldier develops redness and blistering on exposed skin after less than 1 hour of sun exposure during desert field training. The medic should suspect:
- Mild heat rash (prickly heat)
- First-degree sunburn only
- Severe sunburn (second-degree)
- Photosensitivity reaction (possibly medication-related) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Photosensitivity reaction (possibly medication-related)
Blistering after only 1 hour of sun exposure is abnormally rapid and suggests photosensitivity, which can result from common medications like doxycycline (antimalarial).
Question 7: During the EFMB 12-mile foot march, a candidate develops a blister that has burst and the raw skin is exposed. What is the most appropriate field treatment?
- Remove the loose skin, clean the wound, and apply a sterile non-adherent dressing (Correct answer)
- Continue without treatment to finish the event
- Apply tape directly over the raw skin without cleaning
- Stop and request withdrawal from the event
Correct answer: Remove the loose skin, clean the wound, and apply a sterile non-adherent dressing
Removing dead skin, cleaning the wound, and applying a sterile non-adherent dressing prevents infection and allows the candidate to continue safely.
EFMB Field Training & Endurance 5
During a field training exercise, a soldier collapses with suspected exertional heat stroke.
The evacuation will take 45 minutes.
What cooling method should be employed while awaiting transport?