STCW Personal Survival 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When abandoning ship, what is the correct order of actions before entering the water?
- Jump immediately from the highest point
- Don lifejacket, check for hazards below, then descend by ladder or rope (Correct answer)
- Remove shoes and all clothing to swim faster
- Signal other crew before putting on lifejacket
Correct answer: Don lifejacket, check for hazards below, then descend by ladder or rope
Before entering the water, seafarers should don their lifejacket, visually check for debris or hazards below, and use a ladder or rope rather than jumping from height.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of the spray hood on an inflatable liferaft?
- To provide shade from the sun
- To protect occupants from wind and waves (Correct answer)
- To improve the raft's radar signature
- To store emergency equipment
Correct answer: To protect occupants from wind and waves
The spray hood protects occupants from wind, spray, and breaking waves, helping to prevent hypothermia and maintain body heat.
Question 3: How should a survivor in the water signal their position to a searching helicopter at night?
- Shout loudly and wave both arms
- Use a waterproof flashlight or the lifejacket light (Correct answer)
- Remove the lifejacket to wave it overhead
- Swim toward the helicopter's sound
Correct answer: Use a waterproof flashlight or the lifejacket light
A waterproof flashlight or the automatic lifejacket light provides a visible signal to searching helicopters at night.
Question 4: What does the term 'cold shock' describe in a maritime survival context?
- Hypothermia reaching a fatal core temperature
- The sudden cardiovascular reaction when entering cold water (Correct answer)
- Frostbite caused by prolonged immersion
- Psychological panic after abandoning ship
Correct answer: The sudden cardiovascular reaction when entering cold water
Cold shock is the immediate involuntary gasp reflex and cardiovascular stress that occurs within the first few seconds of entering cold water.
Question 5: What is the recommended swimming technique to conserve body heat in cold water when not wearing a survival suit?
- Swim freestyle continuously to generate body heat
- Float face-down using the drownproofing technique
- Adopt the HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Posture) position (Correct answer)
- Tread water vigorously to stay near the surface
Correct answer: Adopt the HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Posture) position
HELP involves drawing the knees to the chest and holding the arms tight to the body to reduce heat loss from the groin, armpits, and head.
Question 6: A liferaft painter line is used to:
- Tow a liferaft back to the ship
- Keep the liferaft connected to the ship until it inflates and is boarded (Correct answer)
- Mark the position of a liferaft with a buoy
- Secure the canopy to the raft frame
Correct answer: Keep the liferaft connected to the ship until it inflates and is boarded
The painter line keeps the liferaft attached to the ship while it inflates, allowing survivors to board before the line is cut when safe distance is needed.
Question 7: Which signal is used to indicate a liferaft or survivor's position to aircraft using pyrotechnics during daylight?
- Red parachute rocket
- Orange smoke signal (Correct answer)
- White handheld flare
- Green star cluster
Correct answer: Orange smoke signal
Orange smoke signals are the standard daytime visual distress signal for indicating position to aircraft because the colored smoke is highly visible from the air.
STCW Personal Survival 2
When abandoning ship, what is the correct order of actions before entering the water?