SRT Rescue Techniques and Operations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct sequence for the 'reach, throw, row, go' rescue priority hierarchy?
- Attempt contact rescues before water entry whenever possible (Correct answer)
- Go into the water first to assess victim condition
- Throw bag rescue is always preferred over reach-pole rescue
- Row is only used in flatwater rescues, not swiftwater
Correct answer: Attempt contact rescues before water entry whenever possible
The hierarchy prioritizes rescuer safety by using shore-based or boat-based methods before placing a rescuer in the water, reducing multi-victim scenarios.
Question 2: A foot entrapment is best self-rescued by:
- Standing upright and pulling the foot straight upward
- Rolling to the side and rotating the foot with the current to free it (Correct answer)
- Signaling for help and remaining still to avoid panic
- Grabbing nearby vegetation to pull oneself out
Correct answer: Rolling to the side and rotating the foot with the current to free it
Rolling downstream and rotating the foot with the current reduces hydraulic pressure on the trapped foot and aligns the ankle for extraction.
Question 3: When establishing a highline system across a river, the main line tension should be set to:
- As tight as possible to minimize sag
- Approximately 15–20 degrees of sag to prevent catastrophic anchor failure (Correct answer)
- Perfectly horizontal with zero sag
- A maximum of 5 degrees of sag for victim comfort
Correct answer: Approximately 15–20 degrees of sag to prevent catastrophic anchor failure
Excessive tension dramatically increases load on anchors and rope due to vector physics; a moderate sag of 15–20 degrees keeps forces manageable.
Question 4: During a contact rescue in swiftwater, a rescuer should approach a conscious victim from:
- Upstream, swimming aggressively toward the victim
- Downstream, using an eddy to intercept the victim (Correct answer)
- Directly alongside at the same speed
- Perpendicular to the current to reduce collision force
Correct answer: Downstream, using an eddy to intercept the victim
Approaching from a downstream eddy allows the rescuer to control position and intercept the victim without being pushed into them by the current.
Question 5: Which type of pin requires the MOST urgent rescue response in a swiftwater scenario?
- A wrapped canoe on a midstream rock
- A broached kayak with the paddler still seated
- A foot or body pin in a strainer with water flowing over the victim (Correct answer)
- A vertical pin with the bow submerged in a hydraulic
Correct answer: A foot or body pin in a strainer with water flowing over the victim
A body pin in a strainer is immediately life-threatening because hydraulic forces can submerge the victim in seconds, leaving almost no time for rescue.
Question 6: In swiftwater operations, a 'ferry angle' is used to:
- Calculate the rope angle needed for a Tyrolean traverse
- Allow a boat or swimmer to cross a current without being pushed downstream (Correct answer)
- Determine anchor placement relative to the victim
- Measure the force of a hydraulic feature
Correct answer: Allow a boat or swimmer to cross a current without being pushed downstream
Angling into the current while paddling or swimming allows lateral movement across a river by using the current's force against an angled surface.
Question 7: What does ICS stand for in the context of a swiftwater rescue incident?
- In-Channel Safety
- Incident Command System (Correct answer)
- Initial Contact Specialist
- Interagency Coordination Standard
Correct answer: Incident Command System
The Incident Command System (ICS) is the standardized management framework used to organize personnel, resources, and communications at rescue scenes.
SRT Rescue Techniques and Operations 3
What is the correct sequence for the 'reach, throw, row, go' rescue priority hierarchy?