PST Exit Exam Mock - Questions and Answers Set 1

An immersion suit is a protective suit designed to be worn in cold water to delay hypothermia. Its main function is to provide thermal insulation, minimizing heat loss from the wearer's body to the cold water and air, thereby significantly extending survival time and improving chances of rescue.

Hand flares and parachute flares (also known as rocket parachute flares) are critical pyrotechnic signaling devices required as standard equipment in liferafts. They are used to attract the attention of search and rescue units, especially at night or in conditions of poor visibility, by emitting bright light or a high-intensity signal.

Jumping from a significant height into water can cause severe injury due to the impact force. Correct jumping techniques (e.g., holding onto the lifejacket, covering the nose and mouth, legs together, feet first) are taught to minimize this risk. The general rule is 'don't jump unless necessary' because entering the water carries inherent risks, and a survival craft is always preferable.

For mild hypothermia, providing warm, sugary, non-alcoholic drinks helps to rehydrate and provide energy, while adding thermal insulation like a TPA or blankets reduces further heat loss and helps the body rewarm gradually. Strenuous exercise, alcohol, and rapid rewarming (like hot water immersion) are generally contraindicated as they can cause harmful physiological responses such as 'afterdrop'.

A SART is a transponder that, when activated, detects the sweep of a searching radar (specifically X-band radar, commonly used by SAR vessels and aircraft) and immediately transmits a series of response signals. These signals appear as a unique line of 12 dots on the radar display of the searching unit, providing an unmistakable indication of the SART's location and helping rescuers home in on the survival craft.

It is crucial to allow any rescue equipment lowered from a helicopter to touch the water or deck first. This dissipates any static electricity buildup that could cause a dangerous shock. Survivors should then wait for a clear signal or instruction from the helicopter crew or rescue swimmer before approaching or grasping the equipment, ensuring their safety and cooperation with the rescue operation.

A Thermal Protective Aid (TPA) is a bag or suit made of waterproof, thermally reflective material. Its main purpose is to reduce heat loss from a survivor's body through convection, conduction, and radiation, thus helping to prevent or delay hypothermia. It is designed to reflect the body's own heat back to the wearer and protect against the elements.

It is absolutely critical that the drain plug (or 'garboard plug') of a lifeboat is securely closed before launching. If it is open, the boat will immediately start taking on water upon reaching the sea, which could cause it to swamp, capsize, or sink, endangering the occupants. The plug is designed to be opened *after* the boat is afloat, when required, to drain any accumulated bilge water.

While the Master has overall command and responsibility for the ship's safety, the effective implementation of emergency procedures relies on a clear delegation of duties. The muster list specifically designates heads of departments (e.g., Chief Officer, Chief Engineer) or appointed muster party leaders to take charge of specific groups of personnel at their respective muster stations, conduct roll calls, and ensure everyone is accounted for and understands their immediate actions.

The muster list is a vital safety document that clearly outlines the specific emergency duties, stations, and actions for every person on board (crew and passengers). Its primary purpose is to ensure an organized, efficient, and effective response to any emergency situation, as required by STCW and SOLAS regulations.

A life jacket must fit snugly and be securely fastened to effectively keep the wearer afloat and prevent it from dislodging or riding up, particularly when entering the water or encountering waves. If it's too loose, it may not provide adequate support or could even come off, compromising safety.

Immersion suits are designed to protect against hypothermia and are mandatory for use when abandoning ship if the water temperature is particularly cold (generally below 15°C). They provide thermal insulation, significantly increasing survival time for individuals in the water, especially if they cannot immediately enter a survival craft.

A sea anchor is a crucial piece of equipment in a survival craft. Its primary function is to reduce drift, keep the bow of the craft pointed into the waves to prevent capsizing, and make the craft more visible to search and rescue units by slowing its movement. While other items might be beneficial, a sea anchor is specifically mandated by SOLAS for stability and drift reduction.

For a conscious person with mild hypothermia, the priority is to prevent further heat loss and initiate gradual rewarming. Removing wet clothing, drying the person, and wrapping them in dry blankets or warm clothing helps retain body heat. Rapid rewarming methods like hot baths or vigorous rubbing can be dangerous, potentially leading to 'afterdrop' (a further drop in core body temperature) or cardiac issues. Alcohol should be avoided as it dilates blood vessels, causing further heat loss.

A parachute flare, also known as a red rocket, launches a bright red light to a significant height (e.g., 300 meters) which then descends slowly by parachute. This allows it to be seen from a very long distance, making it highly effective for attracting attention, especially during daylight hours when smoke signals might be less visible from afar.

Jumping feet first with legs together and knees slightly bent helps to absorb the impact of the water. Crossing arms over the chest protects vital organs and prevents them from being injured by the impact. Holding the nose and mouth closed prevents water from being forced into the airways during the entry, reducing the risk of drowning. This posture minimizes injury upon water entry from a height.

An EPIRB is a critical component of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). When activated, it transmits a unique distress signal on 406 MHz that is picked up by satellites and relayed to a Rescue Coordination Center (RCC), providing the vessel's identity and precise location, thereby significantly aiding search and rescue efforts.

The powerful downdraft created by a helicopter's rotors can turn unsecured items into dangerous projectiles, posing a significant risk to those being rescued, the helicopter crew, and the aircraft itself. It is crucial to secure or remove all loose items from your person and the immediate hoisting area before the helicopter approaches.

Cold Water Shock is the immediate and involuntary physiological response to sudden immersion in cold water. It causes an initial gasp reflex, rapid and uncontrolled breathing (hyperventilation), and an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. This reaction significantly increases the risk of drowning due due to water inhalation, and can be fatal within minutes, often before true hypothermia sets in.

According to STCW and IMO model course 1.19, the immediate action upon hearing the abandon ship signal is to proceed to your designated muster station, as indicated on the muster list, while wearing a donned life jacket. This ensures that all personnel are accounted for, receive vital instructions, and are prepared for potential evacuation in an organized manner. Attempting to retrieve personal belongings or proceeding directly to a survival craft without instruction can lead to chaos and jeopardize safety.

IMO requirements, specified in the LSA Code, state that a life jacket shall be capable of being donned by a person quickly and without assistance within 30 seconds. This standard ensures that in an emergency, individuals can rapidly prepare themselves for potential immersion, minimizing delay and increasing chances of survival.

The primary function of an immersion suit is to reduce the risk of hypothermia for a person immersed in cold water. It is designed to provide thermal insulation, delaying the onset of hypothermia, which is a major cause of death in cold water survival situations. While it may offer some buoyancy and visibility, these are secondary benefits to its crucial thermal protective role.

A 'throw-overboard' type inflatable liferaft is designed to be literally thrown into the water. Once it is clear of the ship, the painter line (a rope attached to the liferaft container and secured to the ship) is pulled firmly. This action activates the CO2 inflation system, causing the liferaft to inflate automatically. Option 'a' describes a davit-launched liferaft, and option 'd' describes a free-float release, which is a secondary automatic release mechanism in case the ship sinks without manual deployment.

The Muster List is a vital safety document that outlines the specific duties and stations of every person on board (crew and passengers, if applicable) for different emergency scenarios, such as fire, collision, or abandon ship. It also clearly designates which survival craft (lifeboat or liferaft) each person is assigned to. This ensures an organized and efficient response during an emergency, critical for safe evacuation and damage control.

Cold water shock is the immediate physiological response to sudden immersion in cold water. It typically causes an involuntary gasp for air (often leading to water inhalation), rapid and uncontrolled breathing (hyperventilation), a sudden increase in heart rate, and elevated blood pressure. These effects can be fatal within minutes, even before hypothermia sets in, due to panic, cardiac arrest, or aspiration of water.

A SART's primary function is to assist in locating survival craft or distressed vessels. When activated, it remains in a listening mode. Upon detection of a searching radar signal (typically from a rescue vessel or aircraft), the SART transmits a series of 12 dots or circles on the radar screen, indicating its precise location relative to the searching unit. This distinct signal makes it highly effective for pinpointing the position of survivors.

A red parachute flare is a powerful distress signal designed to attract the immediate attention of a potential search and rescue (SAR) unit. It should be used strategically when a rescue ship or aircraft is sighted, as its bright light and high trajectory make it visible over a large area, especially at night or in low visibility. Using it indiscriminately depletes limited resources without maximizing the chance of rescue.

When being hoisted by a helicopter, the safest body position is to keep your arms crossed over your chest and all limbs close to your body. This minimizes the risk of snagging on the hoist gear, reduces the risk of injury from the downdraft, and maintains a streamlined profile. Facing away from the helicopter can help prevent debris from being blown into your eyes and reduces discomfort from the rotor wash. Never attempt to grab the hoist line before it is firmly in your grasp or attached to your rescue device.

According to survival at sea guidelines, it is recommended to avoid drinking water for the first 24 hours in a survival craft, provided there is no immediate medical reason to drink (e.g., severe injury leading to excessive fluid loss). This initial period allows the body to adjust and conserve existing fluids. After the first 24 hours, water should be rationed very sparingly, typically around 500ml per person per day, or less, depending on conditions and available supply, to maximize the duration of the supply. Drinking immediately or frequently without a strict plan will quickly deplete vital resources.

The correct answer is 2 minutes. SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulations specify that an immersion suit must be donned within 2 minutes without assistance.