Safety Equipment

Question 1

What are the properties of a life jacket

Answer 1

Either solid buoyancy or inflatable.
Rot proof, highly visible with whistle and reflective tape.
Sustain burning for 2 seconds.
Don with 1 minute and survive 15ft jump.
Capable of wearing inside out.
Must turn you face up within 5 seconds of contact with water.
Must keep nose and mouth 4m above water.

Question 2

What are the two types of life jacket?

Answer 2

Offshore jackets- designed for extended survival in rough open water. Over 22 pounds of buoyancy. Appropriate for longer passages in remote regions where rescue may be slow.

Near shore jackets- designed to maintain and unconscious person face up in calm water. Minimum 15.5 pounds of buoyancy. Appropriate for costal passages where rescue is quick.

Question 3

What are buoyancy aids?

Answer 3

They are used for waterskiing, windsurfing and kayaking.
Will not keep the head above water if unconscious.
Less bulky than a life jacket.

Question 4

What are the four types of flare?

Answer 4

Red parachute.
Red handheld.
Orange smoke.
White handheld.

Question 5

What are the Characteristics of a red parachute flare?

Answer 5

They ascend up to 300m. 
Will burn for 40 seconds at 30,000 candela. 
Descends at 5m per second. 
Burns about 30m about sea level. 
Visible for 25 miles.

Question 6

What are the characteristics of red handheld flares?

Answer 6

Burn for 1 min.
15,000 candela.
Visible for 7 miles.

Question 7

What are the characteristics of buoyant smoke signals?

Answer 7

Highly visible orange smoke.
Will burn for 3 mins.
Will not ignite fuel floating on water.
Will burn for 10 seconds is submerged.

Question 8

What are the characteristics of white handheld flares?

Answer 8

Burn bright white.

Used to alert other vessels to risk of collision.

Question 9

How should you launch a life raft?

Answer 9

Check painter is attached to a strong point. 
Let for securing straps. 
Check that all is clear over the side. 
Remove ship side rail if detachable. 
Deploy raft over side. 
Pull out painter and give sharp tug. 
Climb down ladder into raft.

Question 10

What does FIRE stand for?

Answer 10

F=find
I= isolate and inform
R= report and restrict
E= extinguish or escape

Question 11

What are the four main types of fire extinguisher?

Answer 11

1. Water
2. Dry powder
3. Carbon dioxide
4. Foam

Question 12

What are safety harnesses?

Answer 12

Mainly used on sailing vessels.

They are worn by crew members on deck in bad weather or at night.

Question 13

What are type IV personal flotation devises?

Answer 13

Lightweight, highly visible, throwable floatation devises. They are used in the event of man overboard.

Question 14

What is a life sling?

Answer 14

Another type of throwable man overboard recover device. It is normally attached to the stern line or stanchoin.

Question 15

What is a VHF radio?

Answer 15

Very high frequency radio. It is a transmitter and receiver combined. Can be used for onboard emergencies.