SRT Radio & Hand Signal Communication 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a rescuer on the far bank cannot hear radio communications due to water noise, the preferred backup is:
- Shout the message repeatedly
- Use hand signals according to established SRT protocol (Correct answer)
- Send a swimmer across with a written note
- Wait until noise subsides
Correct answer: Use hand signals according to established SRT protocol
Hand signals are the standard visual backup when audio communication fails in high-noise swiftwater environments.
Question 2: In ICS radio protocol, what does the term 'over' signify?
- The conversation is complete
- You are transmitting from a helicopter
- You have finished speaking and await a reply (Correct answer)
- You are changing radio channels
Correct answer: You have finished speaking and await a reply
'Over' means the sender has finished their transmission and expects a response from the other party.
Question 3: A rescuer signals 'thumbs up' with both hands raised overhead during a swiftwater operation. This typically means:
- Stop all operations immediately
- I am okay / all clear (Correct answer)
- Increase rope tension
- I need medical assistance
Correct answer: I am okay / all clear
Thumbs up with arms raised overhead is a universal 'I am okay' or 'all clear' signal in swiftwater rescue.
Question 4: Which radio frequency band is most commonly assigned to US swiftwater rescue incident command operations?
- AM broadcast band (540–1700 kHz)
- VHF (136–174 MHz) or UHF (400–512 MHz) public safety bands (Correct answer)
- Citizens Band (CB) channel 9
- Marine VHF channel 16 exclusively
Correct answer: VHF (136–174 MHz) or UHF (400–512 MHz) public safety bands
Public safety agencies in the US primarily operate on VHF or UHF bands allocated for emergency services.
Question 5: A rescuer waves one arm in a large horizontal arc repeatedly. In swiftwater hand signal protocol this means:
- Come to me (Correct answer)
- Go that direction
- Rope throw incoming
- All stop
Correct answer: Come to me
A large horizontal arm wave directed toward the rescuer signals 'come to me' or 'move toward me.'
Question 6: Which statement about radio squelch settings is correct for swiftwater rescue operations?
- Set squelch fully open so no transmissions are missed
- Set squelch to just suppress background static to avoid missing weak calls (Correct answer)
- Squelch should always be fully closed
- Squelch settings are irrelevant in field operations
Correct answer: Set squelch to just suppress background static to avoid missing weak calls
Proper squelch is set just above background static so weak but important transmissions are still heard.
Question 7: When radio traffic is urgent, the correct prefix to use before your message in ICS communications is:
- MAYDAY
- BREAK BREAK
- PRIORITY (Correct answer)
- EMERGENCY
Correct answer: PRIORITY
In ICS, 'PRIORITY' precedes urgent but non-life-threatening traffic, while 'MAYDAY' or 'EMERGENCY' is reserved for imminent life threat.
SRT Radio & Hand Signal Communication 2
When a rescuer on the far bank cannot hear radio communications due to water noise, the preferred backup is: