ERT Search and Rescue Operations 3

Question 1

In water rescue, the sequence 'REACH, THROW, ROW, GO' represents what operational principle?

Accepted Answer

A prioritized sequence of rescue techniques ordered from safest to highest-risk

Answer

A radio communication protocol for coordinating water rescue teams

Answer

The standard search pattern used during river SAR operations

Answer

A medical assessment protocol for water rescue victims

Question 2

In swift water rescue, what is a 'strainer' and why is it particularly dangerous?

Accepted Answer

An obstacle such as a downed tree or fence that allows water to flow through but traps people or objects against it

Answer

A water filtration device used to decontaminate drinking water at a rescue staging area

Answer

A specialized rescue net deployed across a river to catch downstream victims

Answer

A water quality monitoring instrument used during flood response

Question 3

Under OSHA's permit-required confined space standard, what is the minimum required team configuration for a safe confined space rescue?

Accepted Answer

At minimum one authorized entrant, one attendant outside the space, and retrieval capability

Answer

One authorized entrant who also monitors atmospheric conditions

Answer

Two workers—one entrant and one outside observer

Answer

Four rescuers, including two medical personnel, for any confined space entry

Question 4

What is the purpose of 'medical triage' in mass casualty incidents (MCIs) and large-scale SAR operations?

Accepted Answer

Sorting and categorizing victims by injury severity to prioritize treatment and transport with limited resources

Answer

Documenting the identity and insurance information of all rescued individuals

Answer

Assigning search sectors to rescue teams based on expected victim locations

Answer

Screening rescue personnel for fitness before deploying them into hazardous areas

Question 5

In the START triage system used at MCIs, what does the color tag 'BLACK' indicate?

Accepted Answer

Expectant/deceased – the victim is deceased or injuries are unsurvivable given available resources

Answer

Immediate – the victim requires life-saving intervention within minutes

Answer

Delayed – the victim can wait for treatment without immediate life threat

Answer

Minor – the victim has minor injuries and can walk

Question 6

Which document in the Incident Command System (ICS) serves as the master operational plan for a SAR incident, summarizing objectives, tactics, and resource assignments?

Accepted Answer

ICS Form 202 / Incident Action Plan (IAP)

Answer

ICS Form 214 – Activity Log

Answer

ICS Form 201 – Incident Briefing

Answer

ICS Form 205 – Incident Radio Communications Plan

Question 7

What is 'technical rope rescue' and at which NFPA 1670 operational level are rescuers authorized to perform patient packaging and raising/lowering systems?

Accepted Answer

Rescue using rope systems to access, package, and extract patients in vertical or high-angle environments; authorized at the Technician level

Answer

Rope rescue using mechanical advantage systems; authorized at the Awareness level

Answer

Any rope-based rescue; authorized at the Operations level for basic lowering only

Answer

Rope rescue using standard fire service ground ladders; authorized at any training level