ERT Search and Rescue Operations 3

Question 1

In water rescue, the sequence 'REACH, THROW, ROW, GO' represents what operational principle?

Accepted Answer

A prioritized sequence of rescue techniques ordered from safest to highest-risk

Answer

REACH, THROW, ROW, GO prioritizes techniques that keep the rescuer safe first; direct entry ('GO') is the last resort because it puts the rescuer at highest risk.

Question 2

In swift water rescue, what is a 'strainer' and why is it particularly dangerous?

Accepted Answer

An obstacle such as a downed tree or fence that allows water to flow through but traps people or objects against it

Answer

Strainers trap victims against them with tremendous hydraulic force while water continues to flow through, making it nearly impossible for a trapped person to escape without assistance.

Question 3

Under OSHA's permit-required confined space standard, what is the minimum required team configuration for a safe confined space rescue?

Accepted Answer

At minimum one authorized entrant, one attendant outside the space, and retrieval capability

Answer

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 requires an authorized entrant, an attendant who remains outside and monitors conditions, and a retrieval system or rescue team ready to extract the entrant.

Question 4

What is the purpose of 'medical triage' in mass casualty incidents (MCIs) and large-scale SAR operations?

Accepted Answer

Sorting and categorizing victims by injury severity to prioritize treatment and transport with limited resources

Answer

Triage (French for 'to sort') allocates scarce medical resources to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number by treating the most critical salvageable patients first.

Question 5

In the START triage system used at MCIs, what does the color tag 'BLACK' indicate?

Accepted Answer

Expectant/deceased – the victim is deceased or injuries are unsurvivable given available resources

Answer

In START triage, black tags are assigned to deceased victims or those whose injuries are so severe that survival is unlikely even with immediate intervention, allowing resources to focus on salvageable patients.

ERT - Emergency Response Technician Certification Practice Test

ERT - Emergency Response Technician Certification Practice Test

ERT Search and Rescue Operations 3