SET - 1 | PST Exit Exam Mock - Questions and Answers - 2026

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.

Huddling closely together, forming a human chain or cluster, is a proven survival technique to conserve body heat. This reduces the collective exposed surface area to the cold environment and allows survivors to share warmth, effectively combating hypothermia. Excessive exercise would deplete energy, removing wet clothing might increase heat loss without a dry replacement, and drinking seawater is harmful.

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.

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.

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.

STCW Code, Section A-VI/1, paragraph 2.1.1.3, specifically states that personnel should be able to don an immersion suit, if one is required, within 2 minutes without assistance. This time limit ensures prompt preparation for abandonment in cold water conditions.

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.

Cold water shock is an immediate physiological response to sudden immersion in cold water. It causes an involuntary gasp reflex, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and elevated blood pressure. This can lead to hyperventilation, panic, disorientation, and a significant risk of inhaling water and drowning, even for good swimmers.

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.

An EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) is designed to transmit a distress alert and position via satellite to a Rescue Coordination Centre. A SART (Search and Rescue Transponder) is designed to assist in locating survival craft or distressed vessels by responding with a unique series of dots on an X-band radar display of a searching vessel or aircraft. Both are crucial GMDSS equipment.

Immersion suits are designed to provide thermal insulation and prevent hypothermia in cold water. They enclose the wearer's entire body, except for the face, creating a protective barrier against the cold water, thus significantly extending survival time in severe conditions. While they might offer some buoyancy and visibility, their primary purpose is thermal protection.

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.

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.

When a helicopter is sighted, personnel in a survival craft should prepare for rescue. This involves securing loose items that could be blown away, ensuring nothing can foul the rescue equipment, and indicating presence with slow, deliberate waves, avoiding sudden movements or launching pyrotechnics directly at the helicopter which could be dangerous.

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.

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 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.

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.

A common and recommended survival strategy in a survival craft, particularly for the first 24 hours, is to refrain from drinking water, provided there is no medical necessity. This allows the body to acclimatize to the stress and helps to reduce initial thirst, conserving precious water supplies for later stages when dehydration becomes a more significant threat. Water rationing usually commences after this initial period.

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.

Immersion suits are specifically designed to protect a person from hypothermia in cold water. They provide thermal insulation, significantly reducing heat loss from the body, and often include inherent buoyancy. This is crucial for survival in severe maritime conditions, as detailed in Chapter II of the LSA Code.

Jumping from a ship, especially from a significant height, carries a high risk of serious injury due to the impact with the water. The 'don't jump unless necessary' rule emphasizes boarding survival craft directly from the ship's deck whenever possible, or using designated escape slides or routes to enter the water safely, ensuring a more controlled and less hazardous abandonment procedure, and preserving the physical condition of survivors.

The general emergency alarm signal, typically seven short blasts followed by one long blast on the ship's whistle and internal alarm, is used to notify everyone on board about an emergency situation, requiring them to proceed immediately to their designated muster stations as specified in the muster list. This is a fundamental aspect of ship safety and emergency procedures under STCW and SOLAS.

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.

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 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.

For davit-launched liferafts, the painter line (a long rope attached to the liferaft) is essential. It keeps the liferaft close to the ship after launching and while boarding, preventing it from drifting away. It must only be released once the liferaft is waterborne, stable, and all occupants are safely on board, to allow controlled detachment from the vessel. Releasing it prematurely could lead to the liferaft drifting away or capsizing during boarding.

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.

A Thermal Protective Aid (TPA) is designed to reduce the body heat loss of a person in a survival craft or in the water, thereby protecting against hypothermia. It is especially useful for those who do not have an immersion suit.

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.