SET - 2 | PST Exit Exam Mock - Questions and Answers - 2026

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.

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.

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.

The 'abandon ship' signal is universally recognized as seven short blasts followed by one long blast on the ship's whistle or siren and the general alarm. This distinct sequence alerts all personnel on board to proceed to their muster stations for evacuation, as per SOLAS Chapter III, Regulation 36 and STCW Code A-VI/1.

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.

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.

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.

A SART (Search and Rescue Transponder) is an active signaling device. When activated and swept by an X-band radar signal from a searching vessel or aircraft, it transmits a series of 12 dots on the radar display, indicating the SART's position and helping search units pinpoint the 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Pyrotechnic distress signals are limited resources. They should be conserved and used strategically when there is a high probability of being seen by a potential rescuer, such as when an aircraft or vessel is sighted. Using them indiscriminately can deplete them before a real opportunity for rescue arises, thus reducing the chances of being located.

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.

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 general emergency alarm signals an immediate threat requiring all personnel to prepare for a potential emergency. The correct procedure is to don a lifejacket for personal safety and then proceed without delay to the assigned muster station, where further instructions will be given and personnel accounted for according to the vessel's muster list.

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.

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.

Helicopters generate significant static electricity. The grounding wire (static discharge line) is lowered first to safely dissipate this charge by touching the water or the deck of the vessel. It is crucial to allow it to make contact and discharge the static electricity *before* any personnel touch the rescue hook, strop, or basket, to prevent a severe electric shock.

After donning a life jacket, it is crucial to ensure it is correctly fitted and all straps are securely tightened. This ensures the life jacket will provide maximum buoyancy and support, keeping the wearer's head clear of the water, especially in rough seas, and preventing it from coming off upon impact with water or during prolonged survival. A properly secured life jacket significantly increases the chances of survival.

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.

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.

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.

The 'Don't jump unless necessary' rule is crucial. Stepping into a survival craft from a low point or sliding down a chute is always safer. If jumping is unavoidable, it should be feet-first, from the lowest possible height, and clear of the ship's side to prevent serious injury upon impact with the water or hitting the vessel's structure.

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'.

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.