#393 ITRA Level 3A Swiftwater Theory TEST ONLY - International Technical Rescue Association

Generally, what is not an appropriate tool for the direct physical removal of human bodies from swiftwater during recovery operations?

Grappling hook/Gaff
Hoola Hoop cinch (Mr Flexi)
Dog catch pole
Boat hook

Water rescue throw bags (with cord in them) can be used to locate and/or recover bodies in swiftwater using what techniques?

Tying each rope end to the top of the “T” grip of a raft paddle, and then using the paddles to force the rope between to dredge the bottom of the river to find the body
Establish a zip line/tensioned diagonal with a cargo net attached to provide downstream containment should the body float away
Use a weighted throwbag to assist in released a body with a foot entrapment using the snag/drag technique
All of these

When recovering a deceased victim (human) from the water into a boat, what methods are generally the most appropriate?

Using a net to parbuckle the victim from the water to inside the boat
Placing the body in a full body length mesh bag to preserve the body/evidence
Placing the body in a full body length mesh bag to prevent the body from being filmed or photographed by onlookers
All of these are appropriate methods

With respect to repairing small holes on inflatable paddle craft used for swiftwater operations such as those made from (i.e. PVC or Hypalon), what statement is correct?

Only manufacturers can carry out these repairs
The use of duct tape is often sufficient to provide a reliable repair, providing the repair person writes their initials and date on it for accountability
Replacement fabric and specialist glues are often required
None of these statements are true

What method of body recovery is generally considered inappropriate?

Grappling hooks (hooking into the body)
Gaffs (hooking into the body)
Spears (hooking into the body)
All of these options are generally not appropriate

A hybrid PFD like the one shown below has what operational characteristics?

Provides limited floatation using foam, but can be activated using a built in CO2 cartridge to inflate and provide additional bouyancy.
Provides limited floatation using foam but has a ballistic plate offering tactical protection.
Provides limited floatation using foam, but uses primarily an oral inflation value to provide additional bouyancy.
Is the preferred type of PFD for all swiftwater rescue given its versatility.

This piece of swiftwater rescue equipment is commonly referred to as:

Da Big Flutter Board
River Board
Surf Board
Inflatable Sled

The rigging of highline systems to assist with body recovery in a swiftwater environment:

Select the correct statement.

Are a quick and easy means to check if a body is submerged
Provides for the aerial probing or searching on high probability areas in flow that are to dangerous to enter
Allows first responders to effective a non-entry body recovery using just throwbags/ropes and two carabiners (such as box method)
Are only used where rigged using an Norwegian Reeve configuration

What are some common protocols around the use of notebooks for evidential purposes such as making notes as part of leading a swiftwater body recovery operation?

Only the Police need to use notebooks
Your notes should be made at the earliest possible opportunity (i.e. contemporaneous)
You should only write down your notes after a full debrief to ensure they are consistent with others on scene.
If you have a good memory, there is no need to record notes.

Using the supplied sink and drift tables, calculate the likely distance downstream a victim will be from point last seen given a 12 year child in a river not in flood (river depth 12 feet, river flow speed 5mph) for the purposes of locating and recovering their body? Choose the closest answer.

68 feet
45 feet
35 feet
10 feet

When dealing with the media at body recovery operations, what statement is inappropriate?

Suggest to the affected families to lock down social media accounts to prevent media to using private photos of the deceased
Be aware that media and “gore hunters” often have access to powerful directional micrphones and telescopic lenses
Ensure all the team understand the protocols for dealing with the media and identify who is authorised to give statements to them
Taking photos or videos and sharing on your personal social media, providing sharing restrictions are in place.

What is NOT a common symptom of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Fatigue
Flashbacks
Guilt
Euphoria

What statement is FALSE in regards to the risk of contracting infectious diseases from deceased human bodies?

All infectious organisms do not survive beyond 48 hours post-mortem in a dead body.
All infectious organisms do not survive beyond 48 hours post-mortem in a dead body., with the exception of HIV that has be found up to 6 days.
Post-mortem, body fluids such as blood, faeces, urine and semen are commonly released
Pre-planning for body recovery should include identifying a vaccination programme for recovery technicians

Research has found when conditions are otherwise the same, that bodies will decompose faster…?

In salt water
In fresh water
On the ground
In partial salt/fresh water

In respect to forensic considerations at a swiftwater body recovery, what best describes Tache Noire?

Many small round, red or brown dots on the pupil found post-mortem
A dark horizontal band across the eye found post-mortem
A state of advanced decomposition that results in the deceased presenting in a wax like appearance
Corneal opacity

What factor does NOT affect refloat of deceased submerged bodies?

Last meal by deceased victim
Water temperature
Victim age
Body mass of deceased victim

The most common theme from bereaved families on their experiences of the recovery of their deceased family member is:

Lack of empathy by rescuers
Lack of consistent liaison
Lack of empathy by rescuers and lack of consistent liaison
Lack of food and shelter being supplied while they wait

The RESTART process for rescue operations to transition to recovery operations is comprised of what sequential stages?

Recall, Review, Reassign, Redeploy, Removal.
Respond, Reassure, Recall, Reduce, Recovery.
Reach, Throw, Go, Row, Helo.
Danger, Response, Send for help, Airway, Breathing, Circulation.

The method established by INTERPOL for the identification of deceased victims following a major incident or disaster (mass fatalities) is known as?

Disaster Victim Identification
Deceased Victim Identification
Dead Victim Isolation
Dead Victim Information

What statement is CORRECT in regards to wearing waders in flood water?

A wader belt minimises water from entering the waders if the wearer becomes immersed in water
Waders are made of materials that do not create negative bouyancy (i.e. they are neutral or positively bouyant)
Waders should be worn in conjunction with a suitable personal floatation device (PFD)
All of these

When planning to carry out a shallow water crossing as part of a small group while wearing hiking packs, it is recommended that…?

Use a plastic pack liner to keep your pack contents dry and create buoyancy.
Ensure the waist strap is done up (but able to unclip quickly if required), loosen shoulder straps, undo the chest strap.
Split the group into two, allowing the first group to provide throw bag cover for the crossing group who then provide cover the the remaining members to cross.
All of these

Using the below vehicle stability graph, at what depth would a fire engine become unstable given a flow speed of 3m/s.

0.75m
7.5cm
0.6m
1m

When selecting a rope to be used as a water rescue line (i.e. in a throwbag), out of the following cord options which would be the most suitable for general swiftwater use?

9mm diameter polypropylene kernmantle
9mm diameter nylon kernmantle
12.5mm diameter technora kernmantle
4mm diameter UHMWPE double braid

What best describes the “upstream V” river feature?

When flow is squeezed between two objects creating a tongue or chute like feature
When flow is interrupted by a submerged object that breaks the water surface and flows around both sides
When the river flows over an obstruction and the water recirculates creating a hydraulic
When the river flows through an object but would entrap a person

As the velocity of river flow doubles, the force of water?

Stays constant
Doubles
Triples
Quadruples

What best describes the “downstream V” river feature?

When flow is squeezed between two objects creating a tongue or chute like feature
When flow is interrupted by a submerged object that breaks the water surface and flows around it on both sides
When the river flows over an obstruction and the water recirculates creating a hydraulic
When the river flows through an object but would entrap a person

River flow is typically measured by:

Average depth of water (in feet or metres)
Average water depth multiplied by speed
Maximum water depth times by speed
Average depth of water (in feet or metres) multiplied by temperature variance percentage

River left is best described as?

On the left hand side of the river as look downstream
On the right hand side of the river as look upstream
Is on the side of the river that is closest to magnetic East
On the left hand side of the river as you look upstream

The ferry angle is most efficient when it is applied…

45 degrees to the current
30 degrees to the current
30 degrees to the nearest river bank
90 degrees to the current

Which of these is a hydraulic generally creates the highest level of risk?

Smiling hole
Frowning hole
Rapids
Cushion wave

What is a safe practice/s when working around helicopters?

Approaching the hovering/landed helicopter from uphill
If your hat is blown away around a helicopter, chase it before it causes an issue
Gently transfer weight off/on the helicopter skids when alighting/exiting
Approaching or leaving a helicopter when rotors are starting up or running down

Correctly the types of these powercraft:

[A] Inflatable Rescue Boat [B] Personal Water Craft or Rescue Water Craft [C] Swamp Boat [D] Amphibious
[A] Inflatable Rescue Boat [B] JetSki [C] Jungle Boat [D] Argo
[A] John Boat [B] Rescue Water Craft [C] Jungle Boat [D] Amphibious
[A] Inflatable Rescue Boat [B] Personal Water Craft or Rescue Water Craft [C] Paddle Boat Boat [D] Amphibious

Which of the following statements are generally correct in regard to vehicle behavior in water?

Most vehicles present in an engine downstream orientation after becoming overcome with strong current.
Most vehicles present in an engine upstream orientation after becoming overcome with strong current.
In a sinking vehicle, the best advice is that you should wait until the interior completely fills up with water to allow for the pressure to equalize before opening the door.
External water pressure on windows can assist with opening them.

To self-rescue if you fall through ice (i.e. on a frozen lake), you should…

Immediately try to get out by placing hand on the ice and pull yourself before you freeze
Wait for about a minute to get your breathing under control before attempting to get out
Conserve energy as getting out is futile. Use your hand to signal for assistance.
Dive under the ice and swim to the next air pocket

This swiftwater rescue technique is best described as?

Curtain capture
V lower
Strainer drill
Zip line

Which method best describes deflecting a zip line?

A throwline is held by rescuers on both sides of the river, ideally on a 45 degree angle, and when the victim grabs hold of the rope while floating down the river, one of the rescuers (sides) lets go and the victim pendulums to the shore.
A throwline, from a single side of the river is thrown to form a loop (deflection) around an entrapped person and pulled upstream to release the entrapment.
A throwline is attached to the rear of a PFD’s quick release harness on the rescuer. The rescuer enters the water while the other end of the throwline is held by crew on the shore.
Once a zip line is established, an additional line is attached to the zip line with a moving karabiner to change the angle of the zipline to prevent the load stalling or maneuvering around an object in the water.

When carrying out a rescue of a live victim from a low head dam, what options have the safest methods listed lowest to highest risk (i.e. the lowest risk option listed first, the highest risk option at the end).

Inflated fire hose, throw bag, tethered swimmer from the side/swimming slightly upstream of the boil line
Inflated fire hose, throw bag, four point boat on tether accessing from below the boil line
Inflated fire hose, throw bag, two point boat on tether accessing from below the boil line
tethered swimmer from the side/swimming slightly upstream of the boil line, motorized boat without tether but fitted with reverse and prop guard below the boil line to then cross the boil line under power.

Complete the following sentences using the provided phrase bank to demonstrate your knowledge of low head dam (weir) hazards and rescue techniques:

Low head dams are particularly dangerous river features. They [A] water on the face of the dam which then [B] creating a boil line creates an upstream flow, as well as a downstream flow. Buoyant objects that enter these features including boats and people are often trapped in this feature. The greater the height of the dam face (vertical drop) and distance between the dam face to the boil line, the [C] the hazard of entrapment.

[A] accelerate [B] recirculates [C] greater
[A] accelerate [B] recirculates [C] lesser
[A] slow down [B] recirculates [C] greater
[A] accelerates [B] creates a cushion [C] greater

Capture devices (such as snag plates or Reach systems) are often used for what activities?

Line crossing
Vehicle stabilisation
Entrapment drills
All of these

Examples of line crossing methods suitable for swiftwater rescue include:

Line gun
Pyrotechnic line projectile
Compressed air system (i.e. RES-Q-MAX)
Arborist Sling Shot
All of these

What statement is correct when dealing with wrapped rafts/boats in a swiftwater environment?

The 3:1 or another mechanical advantage (i.e. raft to shore) should generally be the first method to unwrap a boat.
It is important to use additional force, rather than rely on the force of the water to create the pressure required to unwrap a boat.
The two key ingredients to safely and quickly unwrap boats is by shifting weight and/or changing the shape of the boat.
In someone is trapped under a wrapped boat, they generally will have an air pocket so focus should be on quickly setting up a mechanical advantage to free the raft so not to unnecessarily damage the boat.

What statement is FALSE in the context of swiftwater rescue?

Should rescuers be used to operate mask and snorkel in rivers, they should be experienced and specifically trained prior in such equipment.
The use of recreational full face snorkel/masks may accumulate carbon dioxide (CO2).
Swimming goggles are often a good piece of equipment to carry as a swiftwater technician or instructor to view things under water.
If a diver is required, recreational divers should be used instead of commercial divers as they have less complicated equipment and less conservative dive tables.

Using the below images, what statements are examples of flood/swiftwater hazards?

Rope tied around rescuer waist
No PFD and helmet worn by people operating in warm zone
Strainer risk from fences/bridge/trees
All of these

What is the correct statement relating to medical considerations for flood rescue?

Flood waters are often contaminated and rescuers who enter such water should be decontaminated to avoid sickness
Hyperthermia can occur in warm climates, especially when drysuits are used.
Hypothermia is when the body becomes too cold and one sign is a reduction in cognitive motor skills
All of these

Using the International Scale of River Difficulty, this flow would be considered…

Class I
Category A
Grade 2
Level 5

When determining whether to move the mode of operation from rescue to recovery, the most influential factors to be considered are generally?

Length of time victim submerged, water temperature
Size and age of victim
Age of victim, water depth
Water temperature and body mass index of victim

For working in the warm zone, the minimum PPE is?

A, B, C, D
A, C, D
A, B, C
C, D

Correctly match these watercraft to the respective description:

[A] RDC [B] Raft [C] Creaturecraft [D] John Boat [E] Inflatable Rescue Boat [F] Rescue Sled [G] Personal/Rescue Water Craft
[A] Rescue Sled [B] Bamboo Raft [C] Monster Craft [D] John Boat [E] Inflatable Rescue Boat [F] RDC [G] Personal/Rescue Water Craft
[A] RDC [B] Inflatable Kayak [C] Creaturecraft [D] John Boat [E] Inflatable Rescue Boat [F] Rescue Sled [G] Personal/Rescue Water Craft
[A] RDC [B] Raft [C] Creaturecraft [D] Inflatable Rescue Boat [E] John Boat [F] Rescue Sled [G] Personal/Rescue Water Craft

What does this signal typically mean?

Help/I need assistance
Medical kit required
I am cold
Body deceased

What does this signal typically mean?

Help/I need assistance
Winch up
I am okay
Need a medical kit

What are some good safety practices when commanding swiftwater rescue operations?

Tie bowline around the waist, deploy ropes at right angles to flow, traditional style firefighter helmet is suitable.
Never tie into rope, diagonally tension ropes across the flow, always have upstream spotter and downstream safeties.
Always use a body belay and wrap the rope around your hand to ensure you do not let go, wade walking into flow as far as possible until up to chest level.
Never tie into rope, diagonally tension ropes across the flow, grab ropes firmly by wrapping them around hand.

In this picture, the main water feature is known as a?

Low Head Dam or Weir
Aquaduct
Rapid
Eddy fence

With flood water going through this fence, such a water feature would be called a?

Strainer
Sieve
Eddy
Buffer wave

In responding to a call with a person that has been sucked into a storm drain, with their chest and head still above the water, but with water flowing around them still, some initial actions that would be considered reasonable include?

Calling drainage engineers for advice.
Reduce pipe suction/flow by using inflatable bungs or using a digger to seal pipes before and after.
using a tripod and chest harness (i.e. tensioned between these) to stabilise the victim from slipping further into the pipe network.
All of these options.

When using an inflatable fire hose to rescue a victim floating downstream toward the bridge, the inflatable fire hose should be placed [A] of the bridge, with a spotter placed [B] to assist in coordinating the lowering the hose to the victim as they approach. The hose should be tied off at [C] end/s, so that once the victim grabs hold, it will pendulum them to safety.

[A] Downstream [B] Upstream [C] One
[A] Upstream [B] Downstream [C] One
[A] Downstream [B] Upstream [C] Both
[A] Upstream [B] Downstream [C] Both

You are deployed as the first responders (trained to only ITRA Swiftwater Level 1) to a missing person who was last seen in a river in distress, wearing clothes and no PPE. They were last seen waving their hands before going under water in the middle the flow and not seen since. What would be the most appropriate search strategy?

Send a team about 200m downstream from the point last seen (PLS) and wait for the person to surface
Secure the witnesses and PLS, carry out initial quick search downstream from both sides of the river
Send in a responder to swim the PLS and report back
Wait at the PLS for technician level (ITRA Swiftwater Level 2) or higher support

In the context of animals in swiftwater rescue operations, answer which statement is FALSE?

Stock left in flood water can suffer contamination burns and other complications
People (i.e. public) will always put human safety first
Lack of pet carriers is a causal factor in evacuation non-compliance
If evacuated without their pets, owners often illegally return to rescue them

To avoid biosecurity contamination (i.e. didymo or invasive weeds) to other water ways, it is recommended that you do what to your equipment or boats exposed to infected water?

Check for contamination, clean the equipment using approved chemicals, and dry out thoroughly
Rinse and dry equipment and boats
Soak in diluted 0.1 mixture of sulphuric acid for 72 hours
Dry out thoroughly (no washing is required)

What is the best description of a hand tensioned pendulum line, using for swiftwater rescue?

A zip line that uses mechanical advantage to tension and secure it.
Using a throwline to rescue a swimmer/victim, where they adopt the 45 degree angle and pendulum to the shore
Using a throwline to create a rope access the flow held at each end by hand only, that the swimmer/victim grab onto and then one of the rope ends is let go to pendulum them to shore.
Using a throwline to create a rope access the flow secured at each end using a tensionless hitch, that the swimmer/victim grab onto and then one of the rope ends is cut to pendulum them to shore.

What is the correct statement in relation to escaping a vehicle that is sinking in deep water?

Undo your seat-belt, open or break the window, and exit via the window immediately.
Keep calm and use your mobile phone to call your local emergency service (i.e. 911, 000, 111 etc).
Hold your breath and let the water fill up and once the pressure has equalised, open the door and escape.
Remove jeans or boots, move to the rear seat and wait for the water to fill the cabin up before exiting.

When victims (human or animal) are trapped in mud, the most effective way to help extricate them is to:

Inject air or water around the trapped limbs to minimize suction
Use a minimum of 3:1 mechanical advantage
Use a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher to freeze the mud around the limbs then carefully use a hammer to remove the trapped victim
Use a 1:1 pull using a truck or similar vehicle

What rescue disciplines does ITRA provide qualifications for?

Ice, Animal, Structural Collapse, Adventure, Rope
Rope, Swiftwater, Confined space, USAR, Emergency Driving
Rope, Swiftwater, Ice, Trench and Extrication
Large Animal, Tactical, Rope, Swiftwater, Inert Gas

What are the ITRA values enshrined in the Code of Conduct?

Transparent, Working Together, Accountable
Trust, Working Together, Accountable
Transparent, Integrity, Honesty
Transparent, Working Together, Professional

What statement is correct (true) in regards to ITRA attendance certificates and an ITRA qualification certificates?

An ITRA qualification certificate is proof of independent assessment.
An attendance certificate is proof of competency.
Only ITRA qualification certificates have the students QR code on them, ITRA Attendance Certificates do not.
ITRA qualifications expire after 24 months.

How is ITRA governed?

By a volunteer board of directors
By a paid board of directors
Under contract to an association management company
By a steering commitee

Where is ITRA legally constituted?

Wellington, New Zealand
Wayne, Pennsylvania, USA
New York, USA
London, UK

What best describes ITRA?

A corporate business responsible to set standards for the rescue industry
A non-profit trade association to support global qualifications and standards for technical rescue
A global technical rescue training provider
A trade association for industrial rope access

Most technical rescues can be managed into phases as part of command tactics. What group of sequential phases is most appropriate for technical rescue?

Size-Up, Pre-Rescue, Rescue, Terminate
Size-Up, Access, Stabilize, Assemble
Locate, Access, Rescue, Terminate
Assess, Plan, Debrief, Respond

In regards to lock-out/tag-out, sources of stored energy can include? Choose the best answer.

Electrical systems with batteries
Machines with hydraulic components
Pressurised or elevated vessels
All of these

What best defines a “lock out system”?

Only prevent entry to a hazardous location
Provide positive physical isolation for active or stored sources of energy
Can be removed by anyone
Are the same as Tagout systems

What is the preferred approach path for helicopter passengers where no other direction is given by the pilot or crewman?

A
B
C
D

A radio repeater often used in rescue operations is…

A person who makes a written record of all radio communication
A device that ensures radio communications can be heard across all frequencies
A remote device that extends the effective range of radios by rebroadcasting transmissions
A device that records and stores radio transmissions

When using portable radios, which of the following is considered a disadvantage at a rescue incident?

Their portability
The Push-To-Talk microphone function (PTT)
Voice Operated microphone function (VOX)
Ability to select multiple channels

What statement is FALSE (wrong) in regards to night vision during technical rescue operations?

It can take up to 45 minutes of darkness for eyes to reach optimum night vision,
The use of LED white light does not affect night vision so rescue teams should use filament bulb type lights.
The use of red or blue filters and lights minimize the loss of adapted night vision in the human eye.
Most night vision adaptation within the human eye occurs in the first 5 minutes.

Technical rescue operations conducted at night generally…

Take less time
Are safer
Take more time
Requires stronger gear

Effective command tactics for technical rescue are generally…

based around flexible structure using commonly understood roles and responsibilities
Organised organically depending on the specific circumstances
Only required in larger scale operations
None of the these

The zones (for example: cold, warm, hot) of operation during a technical rescue…

Should be clearly marked with physical barriers
Hot is always the highest risk out of all the zones, regardless of actual temperature.
May vary according to the hazards and the associated risk
Are only for guidance

Incident Command Systems (ICS) typically include the following functional areas:

Transport, food, water, and clothing
Vertical rescue, swiftwater rescue, confined space, and urban search and rescue
Multi-band radio networks, terrestrial and satellite telephone networks, internet LAN/WAN based communications
Operations, planning, logistics, control/command.

What is the approximate force on anchor ‘A’?

2 x load
1 x load
5 x load
0.5 x load

The types of connectors shown in the following image are best described as:

1:Oval, 2:Rapid Link, 3:D, 4:HMS (Pear)
1:HMS (Pear), 2:D, 3:Rapid Link, 4:Oval
1:Rapid Link, 2:Oval, 3:HMS(Pear), 4: Oval
1:D, 2:Oval, 3:HMS (Pear), 4:Rapid Link

Which of the following statements is most correct concerning whistle signals for swiftwater or rescue?

Whistle/hand signals are standardised globally and shall be known and used
If whistle/hand signals are to be used, teams shall confirm meanings prior to commencing a task
One whistle blast is the global signal for “all hands off and step back”
One short and two long blasts means evacuate in all situations

The construction of ropes normally used for rope rescue is?

Double braid (braided sheath over a braided core)
Hawser laid (classic 3-strand twisted rope)
Hollow braid (a single braid without any core)
Kernmantle (braided sheath over an unbraided core)

A carabiner has a marking on the spine as illustrated. The rated strength of this carabiner is?

2,500lbs major axis, 1,200lbs minor axis, 700lbs long axis with the gate open
25kN lying flat, 12kN suspended vertically, 7kN balanced on spine
25kN major axis, 12kN minor axis, 7kN major axis with the gate open
25kN between wide pins, 12kN between narrow pins, 7kN on the gate

Rope Rescue equipment is normally intended to be used for loads of?

10kN (approx. 1,000kg or 2,200lbs)
1 person (approx. 136kg or 300lbs)
2 people (approx. 272kg or 600lbs)
6-8kN (approx. 600-800kg or 1,350-1,00lbs)

In rope rescue, the term “MBS” is an abbreviation for?

Maximum Breaking Strength
Mean Breaking Strength
Minimum Breaking Strength
Manufacturer’s Breaking Strength

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