USCG BTM EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE ANSWERS
What are verbal commands? - Answer-Verbal commands are in the form of task
direction with consequences aimed at the subject
What are control techniques? - Answer-Techniques or actions with a low probability of
causing connective tissue damage, lacerations to the skin, or broken bones
What are the examples of control techniques we are allowed to use? - Answer-Escorts,
transport wrist-lock, handcuffs, and pressure points
What pressure points do we use? - Answer-1. Mandibular Angle: under ear lobe
2. Infra-orbital: under the nose
3. Hypoglossal: under the chin
4. Jugular notch: chest
5. C-clamp: infra-orbital plus mandibular angle
What are the rules for using pressure points? - Answer-1. Immediate and intense
pressure (100%)
2. Loud verbal commands
3. Release pressure when hands are up and compliance gained, do not move hand
What are aggressive response techniques? - Answer-Techniques or actions that are
likely to result in connective tissue damage, lacerations to the skin, or broken bones.
This includes damage or irritation to the eyes, mouth, and mucus membranes
What are examples of aggressive response techniques we are allowed to use? -
Answer-Pepper spray, punches, kicks, stuns, takedowns
What are intermediate weapons? - Answer-Techniques or actions with a high probability
of causing connective tissue damage, lacerations to the skin, or broken bones
What are examples of intermediate weapons we are allowed to use? - Answer-
Expandable baton, non-lethal munitions
What is the definition of deadly force? - Answer-Any technique or force that is likely to
cause death and serious physical injury
What is serious physical injury? - Answer-Physical injury to the body that results in:
unconsciousness; protracted and obvious disfigurement; or protracted loss or
impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty
,List the situations when deadly force may be authorized - Answer-1. Individual self-
defense
2. Effecting a lawful arrest or preventing an escape
3. Protection of property
4. Protection of hazardous materials or deadly weapons
5. Deadly force in vessel on vessel situations
6. Deadly force and airspace security
What are the two levels of force most commonly used while conducting boardings? -
Answer-Officer presence and verbal commands
What is L.E.A.P.S.? - Answer-Listen
Empathize
Ask questions
Paraphrase
Summarize
__(1)__ communication is the most important factor in communication. The majority of
messages are transmitted by __(2)__. - Answer-Non-verbal
body language
What is S.A.F.E.R. and what is it for? - Answer-To determine when to move up the Use
of Force Continuum
Safety/security - Situation threatens you or others
Attack - If you or others are physically attacked
Flight - Subject will not follow requests of verbal task direction or physically moves to
avoid officer
Excessive reps - Repeated requests or tasking over and over
Revised priorities - Other events demand action (discover contraband, fight erupts, etc.)
What is T.A.C.K.? - Answer-Thorough - Convey the full meaning of the message
Acceptable - Socially acceptable to the audience
Clear - No acronyms, CG jargon, slang, etc.
KISS - Keep the message short and simple
Describe individual self defense - Answer-The act of defending oneself or other persons
by using force
What tool do we use to support the use of force policy? - Answer-Deadly Force Triangle
What is the deadly force triangle? - Answer-Weapon
Opportunity
Subject's actions
What are the parts of the 2 prong test (opportunity)? - Answer-The subject had
unrestricted access to the weapon
, You or others are within the maximum effective range of the weapon
What is unrestricted access to a weapon? - Answer-Exists when there is nothing to stop
the subject from getting to the weapon.
What is maximum effective range? - Answer-The maximum distance at which a weapon
may be expected to be effective and achieve the desired effect.
What level of force is drawing your weapon considered? - Answer-Level 1
When are you no longer authorized to use deadly force? - Answer-When the subject
has discontinued the action that prompted you to use deadly force initially
What is an ISS (Initial Safety Sweep)? - Answer-Quick and limited sweep of a vessel to
check for sea worthiness and any safety hazards.
Must be done on every boarding.
What is an EISS (Extended Initial Safety Sweep)? - Answer-A more focused sweep of a
vessel when:
1. There are known and unaccounted for weapons on board
2. There are unaccounted for persons
3. There are known safety hazards
What does the 4th amendment provide? - Answer-The right of the people to be secure
against unreasonable searches and seizures, and no warrants shall issue but upon
probable cause
What is probable cause? - Answer-The level of suspicion which would cause a
reasonable and prudent person, given the overall circumstances, to believe a crime has
been committed
What is the definition of a search? - Answer-Intrusion or entry by an agent of the
government on a quest for evidence into an area where a person has a reasonable
expectation of privacy
What are the 2 types of spaces on a vessel? - Answer-Common spaces and private
spaces
What is a private space? - Answer-A space where a person has or likely had a
reasonable expectation of privacy
What is a common space? - Answer-A space in which no person aboard the vessel has
a reasonable expectation of privacy
What is the 2-pronged test for determining privacy? - Answer-Is there an expectation of
privacy by a person in the place where he/she controls
COMPLETE ANSWERS
What are verbal commands? - Answer-Verbal commands are in the form of task
direction with consequences aimed at the subject
What are control techniques? - Answer-Techniques or actions with a low probability of
causing connective tissue damage, lacerations to the skin, or broken bones
What are the examples of control techniques we are allowed to use? - Answer-Escorts,
transport wrist-lock, handcuffs, and pressure points
What pressure points do we use? - Answer-1. Mandibular Angle: under ear lobe
2. Infra-orbital: under the nose
3. Hypoglossal: under the chin
4. Jugular notch: chest
5. C-clamp: infra-orbital plus mandibular angle
What are the rules for using pressure points? - Answer-1. Immediate and intense
pressure (100%)
2. Loud verbal commands
3. Release pressure when hands are up and compliance gained, do not move hand
What are aggressive response techniques? - Answer-Techniques or actions that are
likely to result in connective tissue damage, lacerations to the skin, or broken bones.
This includes damage or irritation to the eyes, mouth, and mucus membranes
What are examples of aggressive response techniques we are allowed to use? -
Answer-Pepper spray, punches, kicks, stuns, takedowns
What are intermediate weapons? - Answer-Techniques or actions with a high probability
of causing connective tissue damage, lacerations to the skin, or broken bones
What are examples of intermediate weapons we are allowed to use? - Answer-
Expandable baton, non-lethal munitions
What is the definition of deadly force? - Answer-Any technique or force that is likely to
cause death and serious physical injury
What is serious physical injury? - Answer-Physical injury to the body that results in:
unconsciousness; protracted and obvious disfigurement; or protracted loss or
impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty
,List the situations when deadly force may be authorized - Answer-1. Individual self-
defense
2. Effecting a lawful arrest or preventing an escape
3. Protection of property
4. Protection of hazardous materials or deadly weapons
5. Deadly force in vessel on vessel situations
6. Deadly force and airspace security
What are the two levels of force most commonly used while conducting boardings? -
Answer-Officer presence and verbal commands
What is L.E.A.P.S.? - Answer-Listen
Empathize
Ask questions
Paraphrase
Summarize
__(1)__ communication is the most important factor in communication. The majority of
messages are transmitted by __(2)__. - Answer-Non-verbal
body language
What is S.A.F.E.R. and what is it for? - Answer-To determine when to move up the Use
of Force Continuum
Safety/security - Situation threatens you or others
Attack - If you or others are physically attacked
Flight - Subject will not follow requests of verbal task direction or physically moves to
avoid officer
Excessive reps - Repeated requests or tasking over and over
Revised priorities - Other events demand action (discover contraband, fight erupts, etc.)
What is T.A.C.K.? - Answer-Thorough - Convey the full meaning of the message
Acceptable - Socially acceptable to the audience
Clear - No acronyms, CG jargon, slang, etc.
KISS - Keep the message short and simple
Describe individual self defense - Answer-The act of defending oneself or other persons
by using force
What tool do we use to support the use of force policy? - Answer-Deadly Force Triangle
What is the deadly force triangle? - Answer-Weapon
Opportunity
Subject's actions
What are the parts of the 2 prong test (opportunity)? - Answer-The subject had
unrestricted access to the weapon
, You or others are within the maximum effective range of the weapon
What is unrestricted access to a weapon? - Answer-Exists when there is nothing to stop
the subject from getting to the weapon.
What is maximum effective range? - Answer-The maximum distance at which a weapon
may be expected to be effective and achieve the desired effect.
What level of force is drawing your weapon considered? - Answer-Level 1
When are you no longer authorized to use deadly force? - Answer-When the subject
has discontinued the action that prompted you to use deadly force initially
What is an ISS (Initial Safety Sweep)? - Answer-Quick and limited sweep of a vessel to
check for sea worthiness and any safety hazards.
Must be done on every boarding.
What is an EISS (Extended Initial Safety Sweep)? - Answer-A more focused sweep of a
vessel when:
1. There are known and unaccounted for weapons on board
2. There are unaccounted for persons
3. There are known safety hazards
What does the 4th amendment provide? - Answer-The right of the people to be secure
against unreasonable searches and seizures, and no warrants shall issue but upon
probable cause
What is probable cause? - Answer-The level of suspicion which would cause a
reasonable and prudent person, given the overall circumstances, to believe a crime has
been committed
What is the definition of a search? - Answer-Intrusion or entry by an agent of the
government on a quest for evidence into an area where a person has a reasonable
expectation of privacy
What are the 2 types of spaces on a vessel? - Answer-Common spaces and private
spaces
What is a private space? - Answer-A space where a person has or likely had a
reasonable expectation of privacy
What is a common space? - Answer-A space in which no person aboard the vessel has
a reasonable expectation of privacy
What is the 2-pronged test for determining privacy? - Answer-Is there an expectation of
privacy by a person in the place where he/she controls
