SAR FUNDAMENTALS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | LATEST SEARCH AND RESCUE STUDY
GUIDE 2026/2027
What criteria should be considered when selecting the OSC - correct answer ✔✔On scene
capabilities, familiarity with SAR, first SRU on scene
What is the abbreviation designation for an expanding square, single unit search pattern -
correct answer ✔✔SS
What are the four most important pieces of information that should be gathered first? - correct
answer ✔✔Last known Position LKP, Nature of Distress NOD, Persons on Board POB and
Description
In what direction does the second unit commence their search in a Sector Search Multi Unit VM
- correct answer ✔✔90 degrees to the left
When is the OSC required to send a SITREP to the SMC - correct answer ✔✔Once a day
What is the formula for calculating POS (success) - correct answer ✔✔POD (direction) x POC
(containment)
Wind currents should be determined when water depths exceed 100 feet, and distance from
shore is greater than how many miles - correct answer ✔✔20 NM
What search pattern is but used when there is high confidence in datum within a small search
area - correct answer ✔✔Sector Search
After determining that you have an overdue or unreported vessel, the next action should be
what - correct answer ✔✔Issue an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast UMIB
,What type of search pattern is used to search a large are uniformly, covering one end of the
search are first - correct answer ✔✔Creeping Line
What risk management model identifies the risk factors to consider - correct answer
✔✔Planning
Event
Asset
Communication
Environment
Who can be an official Coast Guard spokesperson - correct answer ✔✔Any Coast Guard
member
You collect and analyze SAR information as a function of what component of the SAR system -
correct answer ✔✔Documentation
What risk management model is used to identify options in order to reduce operational risk -
correct answer ✔✔Spread out
Transfer
Avoid
Accept
Reject
What type of resources includes fishing vessels - correct answer ✔✔Non-traditional
A case where the subject reported to be in distress is confirmed not to be in distress and not in
need of assistance is a what - correct answer ✔✔False report
, Where is the Commence Search Point CSP located on a Creeping Line or Parallel Search Pattern -
correct answer ✔✔1/2 track space (S) in from the sides
Does the Coast Guard have the right to enter posted "Private Property" to conduct SAR - correct
answer ✔✔Yes
A barrier search is used when - correct answer ✔✔A strong current exists
What factor is not considered in the GAR model - correct answer ✔✔Severity
An SRU should contact the OSC how many minutes prior to arrival in their search area - correct
answer ✔✔15 minutes
A concerned citizen just reported a flare with a rapid rise and fall. The reporting source
described a what - correct answer ✔✔Meteor Flare
You should release information to the public early in a SAR incident to reduce inaccurate public
speculation about the search - correct answer ✔✔True
In cases involving towing by the Coast Guard or Auxiliary, the vessel being assisted will normally
be taken where - correct answer ✔✔The nearest safe heaven
You are being interviewed on a recent boating mishap involving injuries. What technique would
you use to address the importance of wearing flotation devices - correct answer ✔✔Hooking
What component of the SAR system would cover the centralized control and coordination -
correct answer ✔✔Organization
GUIDE 2026/2027
What criteria should be considered when selecting the OSC - correct answer ✔✔On scene
capabilities, familiarity with SAR, first SRU on scene
What is the abbreviation designation for an expanding square, single unit search pattern -
correct answer ✔✔SS
What are the four most important pieces of information that should be gathered first? - correct
answer ✔✔Last known Position LKP, Nature of Distress NOD, Persons on Board POB and
Description
In what direction does the second unit commence their search in a Sector Search Multi Unit VM
- correct answer ✔✔90 degrees to the left
When is the OSC required to send a SITREP to the SMC - correct answer ✔✔Once a day
What is the formula for calculating POS (success) - correct answer ✔✔POD (direction) x POC
(containment)
Wind currents should be determined when water depths exceed 100 feet, and distance from
shore is greater than how many miles - correct answer ✔✔20 NM
What search pattern is but used when there is high confidence in datum within a small search
area - correct answer ✔✔Sector Search
After determining that you have an overdue or unreported vessel, the next action should be
what - correct answer ✔✔Issue an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast UMIB
,What type of search pattern is used to search a large are uniformly, covering one end of the
search are first - correct answer ✔✔Creeping Line
What risk management model identifies the risk factors to consider - correct answer
✔✔Planning
Event
Asset
Communication
Environment
Who can be an official Coast Guard spokesperson - correct answer ✔✔Any Coast Guard
member
You collect and analyze SAR information as a function of what component of the SAR system -
correct answer ✔✔Documentation
What risk management model is used to identify options in order to reduce operational risk -
correct answer ✔✔Spread out
Transfer
Avoid
Accept
Reject
What type of resources includes fishing vessels - correct answer ✔✔Non-traditional
A case where the subject reported to be in distress is confirmed not to be in distress and not in
need of assistance is a what - correct answer ✔✔False report
, Where is the Commence Search Point CSP located on a Creeping Line or Parallel Search Pattern -
correct answer ✔✔1/2 track space (S) in from the sides
Does the Coast Guard have the right to enter posted "Private Property" to conduct SAR - correct
answer ✔✔Yes
A barrier search is used when - correct answer ✔✔A strong current exists
What factor is not considered in the GAR model - correct answer ✔✔Severity
An SRU should contact the OSC how many minutes prior to arrival in their search area - correct
answer ✔✔15 minutes
A concerned citizen just reported a flare with a rapid rise and fall. The reporting source
described a what - correct answer ✔✔Meteor Flare
You should release information to the public early in a SAR incident to reduce inaccurate public
speculation about the search - correct answer ✔✔True
In cases involving towing by the Coast Guard or Auxiliary, the vessel being assisted will normally
be taken where - correct answer ✔✔The nearest safe heaven
You are being interviewed on a recent boating mishap involving injuries. What technique would
you use to address the importance of wearing flotation devices - correct answer ✔✔Hooking
What component of the SAR system would cover the centralized control and coordination -
correct answer ✔✔Organization
