SRT Inflatable & Rigid Hull Boats 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When recovering a conscious swimmer with a rescue boat in moving water, the preferred approach is:
- Come directly upstream at full speed and stop beside the swimmer
- Approach from downstream facing upstream, letting the swimmer catch the bow
- Approach on a ferry angle from upstream, letting the current drift the swimmer toward the boat (Correct answer)
- Circle the swimmer to create a protective eddy
Correct answer: Approach on a ferry angle from upstream, letting the current drift the swimmer toward the boat
A ferry-angle approach positions the boat to intercept the swimmer using current rather than requiring precise stopping in turbulent, unpredictable water.
Question 2: During a boat-based 'live bait' rescue, the rescuer deployed into the water is:
- Fully independent with no connection to the boat
- Tethered to the boat, which controls the pendulum swing toward the victim (Correct answer)
- Only used when the boat cannot physically reach the victim's area
- Always deployed from the stern of the rescue boat
Correct answer: Tethered to the boat, which controls the pendulum swing toward the victim
In a boat-based live bait rescue, the tethered rescuer swings on the line while the boat manages the pendulum approach to reach the victim.
Question 3: When multiple swimmers are in the water simultaneously, the standard triage priority for boat-based rescue is:
- Rescue the swimmer farthest downstream first
- Rescue the swimmer closest to the most immediate life-threatening hazard first (Correct answer)
- Rescue the most visible swimmer first
- Rescue the smallest swimmer first to board them quickly
Correct answer: Rescue the swimmer closest to the most immediate life-threatening hazard first
Triage in swiftwater prioritizes victims closest to an immediate lethal hazard — strainer, hydraulic, or waterfall — regardless of other factors.
Question 4: After a capsize of an inflatable rescue boat, a crew member's first priority is:
- Retrieve all loose gear floating in the river
- Right the boat before anyone swims to shore
- Account for all personnel and get everyone to safety (Correct answer)
- Radio downstream teams with a situation report while staying with the boat
Correct answer: Account for all personnel and get everyone to safety
Personnel accountability and moving every person to safety is always the first priority after a capsize before any focus on equipment recovery.
Question 5: When throwing a rope bag from a moving rescue boat to a downstream swimmer, the thrower should:
- Lead the swimmer by throwing well ahead of where they currently are (Correct answer)
- Throw directly at the swimmer's current position
- Throw upstream of the swimmer to account for drift
- Aim for the swimmer's feet to avoid striking their head
Correct answer: Lead the swimmer by throwing well ahead of where they currently are
Because both the swimmer and rope are moving in current, throwing ahead of the swimmer's position ensures the rope reaches them as they drift into it.
Question 6: A self-bailing floor on an inflatable rescue boat functions by:
- Pumping water out only when the motor is running at full speed
- Allowing water that enters the boat to drain out through holes at the waterline automatically (Correct answer)
- Preventing water entry through a sealed drain plug system
- Providing a rigid platform that keeps water level below the deck
Correct answer: Allowing water that enters the boat to drain out through holes at the waterline automatically
The self-bailing floor has drain holes positioned at the waterline that allow water to exit by hydrostatic pressure as the loaded boat sits in the river.
Question 7: When towing a swamped rescue boat through swiftwater, the tow line should be attached to:
- The motor mount as the strongest connection point
- A bow D-ring, keeping the line short for directional control (Correct answer)
- The center D-ring with a long line to reduce tension
- Any available loop on the outer tube for convenience
Correct answer: A bow D-ring, keeping the line short for directional control
A bow attachment point with a short tow line allows the towing boat to steer the swamped craft effectively through currents without it swinging wide.
SRT Inflatable & Rigid Hull Boats 3
When recovering a conscious swimmer with a rescue boat in moving water, the preferred approach is: