SARTECH III EXAM (SEARCH AND RESCUE TECHNICIAN
III) - NASAR NATIONAL ASSOCIATION - COMPLETE 300
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS &
RATIONALES | LATEST UPDATE
SECTION 1: SAR FUNDAMENTALS & TERMINOLOGY (Questions 1-60)
QUESTION 1
What is the definition of "search" according to NASAR?
A) An operation using available resources to retrieve persons in distress
B) An operation using available resources to locate persons in distress
C) The process of transporting victims to medical facilities
D) The coordination of emergency services at an incident
>>> B) An operation using available resources to locate persons in distress
RATIONALE:
"Search" is fundamentally about the location component of the mission.
The key distinction between search and rescue is that search involves the
active effort to find the person, while rescue involves the retrieval and care
after they have been found. Search operations are conducted when there is
uncertainty about the subject's location. Search activities include looking
for clues, tracking, using detection tools, and systematically covering
terrain. The search phase continues until the subject is located or until the
decision is made to suspend operations. This definition emphasizes that
search is an operation—meaning it involves coordinated efforts using
available resources—and that the objective is to locate persons who are in
distress, meaning they are unable to return to safety on their own.
QUESTION 2
What is the definition of "rescue" according to NASAR?
A) An operation using available resources to locate persons in distress
1
,B) An operation using available resources to retrieve persons in distress, to
provide for their initial medical considerations and transport to a safe
environment
C) The planning phase of a SAR mission
D) The notification of team members
>>> B) An operation using available resources to retrieve persons in
distress, to
provide for their initial medical considerations and transport to a safe
environment
RATIONALE:
"Rescue" encompasses the retrieval component that follows the search
phase. Once the subject has been located, the rescue phase begins. This
phase involves not just physically retrieving the person but also providing
initial medical care and ensuring safe transport. The rescue phase is
patient-centered and focuses on stabilizing the subject's condition,
preventing further harm, and moving them to a place of safety where
definitive care can be provided. This definition is comprehensive because it
acknowledges that rescue is not simply about extraction but includes the
medical and logistical considerations that ensure the subject's well-being
throughout the process.
QUESTION 3
List the six components of SAR as described by NASAR.
A) Plan, Act, Review, Revise, Implement, Evaluate
B) Preplanning, Notification, Planning/Strategy, Tactics/Operations,
Suspension,
Critique
C) Search, Rescue, Recovery, Transport, Treatment, Termination
D) Locate, Access, Stabilize, Transport, Evaluate, Document
>>> B) Preplanning, Notification, Planning/Strategy, Tactics/Operations,
2
,Suspension, Critique
RATIONALE:
The six components of SAR represent the complete lifecycle of a SAR
operation. Preplanning is the ongoing preparation that occurs before any
mission and involves understanding the operational environment,
resources, and potential challenges. Notification is the process of alerting
the team and individual responders that a mission is active.
Planning/Strategy involves developing the overall approach to the mission.
Tactics/Operations is the execution phase where specific actions are taken.
Suspension is the formal decision to end the operation, which may occur
when the subject is found or when further search is no longer justified.
Critique is the after-action review that identifies lessons learned and drives
continuous improvement. Each component is essential for a
well-managed operation, and skipping any step can lead to inefficiency or
compromise safety.
QUESTION 4
What is the definition of a "tactic" in SAR operations?
A) The overall plan or series of actions which may involve individual
tactics
B) An action used to achieve an objective
C) The coordination of multiple resources
D) The evaluation of mission success
>>> B) An action used to achieve an objective
RATIONALE:
A tactic is the specific, actionable step taken to implement the broader
strategy. While strategy defines the "what" and "why" of the operation,
tactics define the "how." For example, if the strategy is to search a specific
area, tactics might include forming a search line, using a hasty search, or
deploying a K9 team. Tactics are the tools and techniques that responders
3
, use to accomplish their assigned objectives. Understanding the distinction
between strategy and tactics is essential because it helps responders
understand their role within the larger operation and ensures that
individual actions contribute to the overall mission goals.
QUESTION 5
What is "strategy" in the context of SAR operations?
A) An action used to achieve an objective
B) The overall plan or series of actions which may involve individual
tactics
C) The evaluation of mission success
D) The notification of team members
>>> B) The overall plan or series of actions which may involve individual
tactics
RATIONALE:
Strategy is the high-level plan that guides the entire operation. It
establishes the operational approach, identifies priorities, and allocates
resources to achieve mission objectives. Strategy provides the framework
within which tactics are selected and employed. A good strategy is based
on analysis of available information, including the nature of the incident,
environmental conditions, available resources, and likely subject behavior.
The strategy must be flexible enough to adapt to changing conditions but
clear enough to provide direction to all responders. Strategy is developed
during the Planning/Strategy phase of the
SAR process and is documented in the Incident Action Plan.
QUESTION 6
Describe the two stages of notification as described in the components of
SAR.
A) Notification of the public and notification of the media
4
III) - NASAR NATIONAL ASSOCIATION - COMPLETE 300
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS &
RATIONALES | LATEST UPDATE
SECTION 1: SAR FUNDAMENTALS & TERMINOLOGY (Questions 1-60)
QUESTION 1
What is the definition of "search" according to NASAR?
A) An operation using available resources to retrieve persons in distress
B) An operation using available resources to locate persons in distress
C) The process of transporting victims to medical facilities
D) The coordination of emergency services at an incident
>>> B) An operation using available resources to locate persons in distress
RATIONALE:
"Search" is fundamentally about the location component of the mission.
The key distinction between search and rescue is that search involves the
active effort to find the person, while rescue involves the retrieval and care
after they have been found. Search operations are conducted when there is
uncertainty about the subject's location. Search activities include looking
for clues, tracking, using detection tools, and systematically covering
terrain. The search phase continues until the subject is located or until the
decision is made to suspend operations. This definition emphasizes that
search is an operation—meaning it involves coordinated efforts using
available resources—and that the objective is to locate persons who are in
distress, meaning they are unable to return to safety on their own.
QUESTION 2
What is the definition of "rescue" according to NASAR?
A) An operation using available resources to locate persons in distress
1
,B) An operation using available resources to retrieve persons in distress, to
provide for their initial medical considerations and transport to a safe
environment
C) The planning phase of a SAR mission
D) The notification of team members
>>> B) An operation using available resources to retrieve persons in
distress, to
provide for their initial medical considerations and transport to a safe
environment
RATIONALE:
"Rescue" encompasses the retrieval component that follows the search
phase. Once the subject has been located, the rescue phase begins. This
phase involves not just physically retrieving the person but also providing
initial medical care and ensuring safe transport. The rescue phase is
patient-centered and focuses on stabilizing the subject's condition,
preventing further harm, and moving them to a place of safety where
definitive care can be provided. This definition is comprehensive because it
acknowledges that rescue is not simply about extraction but includes the
medical and logistical considerations that ensure the subject's well-being
throughout the process.
QUESTION 3
List the six components of SAR as described by NASAR.
A) Plan, Act, Review, Revise, Implement, Evaluate
B) Preplanning, Notification, Planning/Strategy, Tactics/Operations,
Suspension,
Critique
C) Search, Rescue, Recovery, Transport, Treatment, Termination
D) Locate, Access, Stabilize, Transport, Evaluate, Document
>>> B) Preplanning, Notification, Planning/Strategy, Tactics/Operations,
2
,Suspension, Critique
RATIONALE:
The six components of SAR represent the complete lifecycle of a SAR
operation. Preplanning is the ongoing preparation that occurs before any
mission and involves understanding the operational environment,
resources, and potential challenges. Notification is the process of alerting
the team and individual responders that a mission is active.
Planning/Strategy involves developing the overall approach to the mission.
Tactics/Operations is the execution phase where specific actions are taken.
Suspension is the formal decision to end the operation, which may occur
when the subject is found or when further search is no longer justified.
Critique is the after-action review that identifies lessons learned and drives
continuous improvement. Each component is essential for a
well-managed operation, and skipping any step can lead to inefficiency or
compromise safety.
QUESTION 4
What is the definition of a "tactic" in SAR operations?
A) The overall plan or series of actions which may involve individual
tactics
B) An action used to achieve an objective
C) The coordination of multiple resources
D) The evaluation of mission success
>>> B) An action used to achieve an objective
RATIONALE:
A tactic is the specific, actionable step taken to implement the broader
strategy. While strategy defines the "what" and "why" of the operation,
tactics define the "how." For example, if the strategy is to search a specific
area, tactics might include forming a search line, using a hasty search, or
deploying a K9 team. Tactics are the tools and techniques that responders
3
, use to accomplish their assigned objectives. Understanding the distinction
between strategy and tactics is essential because it helps responders
understand their role within the larger operation and ensures that
individual actions contribute to the overall mission goals.
QUESTION 5
What is "strategy" in the context of SAR operations?
A) An action used to achieve an objective
B) The overall plan or series of actions which may involve individual
tactics
C) The evaluation of mission success
D) The notification of team members
>>> B) The overall plan or series of actions which may involve individual
tactics
RATIONALE:
Strategy is the high-level plan that guides the entire operation. It
establishes the operational approach, identifies priorities, and allocates
resources to achieve mission objectives. Strategy provides the framework
within which tactics are selected and employed. A good strategy is based
on analysis of available information, including the nature of the incident,
environmental conditions, available resources, and likely subject behavior.
The strategy must be flexible enough to adapt to changing conditions but
clear enough to provide direction to all responders. Strategy is developed
during the Planning/Strategy phase of the
SAR process and is documented in the Incident Action Plan.
QUESTION 6
Describe the two stages of notification as described in the components of
SAR.
A) Notification of the public and notification of the media
4
