SRT Defensive & Aggressive Swimming 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When approaching a strainer while in the defensive swim position, what is the correct immediate action?
- Roll onto your stomach and aggressively swim toward the strainer, then climb over it (Correct answer)
- Remain on your back with feet downstream and let the current carry you through
- Curl into a ball to reduce surface area and slip under the strainer
- Signal for shore-based rescuers and wait for assistance
Correct answer: Roll onto your stomach and aggressively swim toward the strainer, then climb over it
When a strainer is unavoidable, immediately roll to your stomach and aggressively swim at it, using the current's force to help push yourself up and over the obstacle.
Question 2: Which body position best describes the correct defensive swimming posture?
- Face down, arms extended forward, kicking aggressively
- On your back, feet downstream, toes at the surface, arms out for steering (Correct answer)
- On your side with knees tucked to protect from rocks
- Vertical with head above water, treading in place
Correct answer: On your back, feet downstream, toes at the surface, arms out for steering
The defensive position keeps you on your back with feet downstream and toes up so feet absorb rock impacts and you can see and react to downstream hazards.
Question 3: A swimmer in defensive position wants to move laterally across the current to reach an eddy. What is the correct technique?
- Remain passive and wait for the eddy fence to pull them in naturally
- Roll to aggressive position and angle their body to ferry-swim toward the eddy (Correct answer)
- Use a backstroke to paddle upstream toward the eddy
- Flip to their side and use a scissor kick to move laterally
Correct answer: Roll to aggressive position and angle their body to ferry-swim toward the eddy
To ferry toward an eddy, the swimmer transitions to aggressive position and angles their body at roughly 45 degrees to the current, swimming hard to cross into the eddy.
Question 4: What is the primary danger of keeping your feet downstream during defensive swimming in shallow, rocky water?
- Your feet create drag that significantly slows your downstream travel
- Foot entrapment can occur if a foot lodges between rocks under the current's force (Correct answer)
- The defensive position makes it impossible to breathe properly in wave trains
- Your center of gravity shifts, causing you to roll face-down
Correct answer: Foot entrapment can occur if a foot lodges between rocks under the current's force
In shallow rocky water, a foot that catches between rocks can trap the swimmer against the current's force, causing a foot entrapment — a life-threatening situation.
Question 5: During aggressive swimming, why should a swimmer keep their head up rather than using a traditional freestyle head-down stroke?
- Head-up position provides more hydrodynamic efficiency in river current
- The swimmer must continuously sight downstream hazards and navigation targets (Correct answer)
- Head-down freestyle causes water to enter the ears and impair balance
- Keeping the head up increases stroke rate and overall swimming speed
Correct answer: The swimmer must continuously sight downstream hazards and navigation targets
In aggressive river swimming, keeping the head up allows continuous visual assessment of downstream hazards, eddies, and rescue points — situational awareness is critical.
Question 6: What signal should a swimmer give to indicate they are okay and do not need assistance?
- Wave both arms overhead repeatedly
- Pat the top of the head with one hand (Correct answer)
- Give a thumbs-up with one hand
- Raise one arm straight up and hold it
Correct answer: Pat the top of the head with one hand
Patting the top of the head is the universally recognized 'I'm okay' signal in swiftwater rescue, visible from shore and from boats.
Question 7: A swimmer exits a hydraulic and is now in confused, aerated whitewater with very little buoyancy. What adaptation is most important?
- Inflate the PFD bladder to maximum to compensate for reduced water density
- Increase kick frequency and use broader arm strokes to maintain surface position (Correct answer)
- Switch immediately to defensive position regardless of downstream hazards
- Sink below the aerated layer to find denser water for improved buoyancy
Correct answer: Increase kick frequency and use broader arm strokes to maintain surface position
Aerated whitewater has reduced density, so swimmers must work harder with stronger, broader strokes and increased kick to stay at the surface.
SRT Defensive & Aggressive Swimming 2
When approaching a strainer while in the defensive swim position, what is the correct immediate action?