SAR Fundamentals Exam – Complete
Practice Questions with Detailed
Answers|| GRADED A+|| LATEST UPDATE
2026
What criteria should be considered when selecting the OSC -CORRECTANSWER On
scene capabilities, familiarity with SAR, first SRU on scene
What is the abbreviation designation for an expanding square, single unit search pattern
-CORRECTANSWER SS
What are the four most important pieces of information that should be gathered first? -
CORRECTANSWER 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 -CORRECTANSWER 90 degrees to the left
When is the OSC required to send a SITREP to the SMC -CORRECTANSWER Once a
day
What is the formula for calculating POS (success) -CORRECTANSWER 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 -CORRECTANSWER 20 NM
What search pattern is but used when there is high confidence in datum within a small
search area -CORRECTANSWER Sector Search
After determining that you have an overdue or unreported vessel, the next action should
be what -CORRECTANSWER 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 -CORRECTANSWER Creeping Line
What risk management model identifies the risk factors to consider -
CORRECTANSWER Planning
Event
Asset
Communication
Environment
Who can be an official Coast Guard spokesperson -CORRECTANSWER Any Coast
Guard member
,You collect and analyze SAR information as a function of what component of the SAR
system -CORRECTANSWER Documentation
What risk management model is used to identify options in order to reduce operational
risk -CORRECTANSWER Spread out
Transfer
Avoid
Accept
Reject
What type of resources includes fishing vessels -CORRECTANSWER 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 -CORRECTANSWER False report
Where is the Commence Search Point CSP located on a Creeping Line or Parallel
Search Pattern -CORRECTANSWER 1/2 track space (S) in from the sides
Does the Coast Guard have the right to enter posted "Private Property" to conduct SAR
-CORRECTANSWER Yes
A barrier search is used when -CORRECTANSWER A strong current exists
, What factor is not considered in the GAR model -CORRECTANSWER Severity
An SRU should contact the OSC how many minutes prior to arrival in their search area -
CORRECTANSWER 15 minutes
A concerned citizen just reported a flare with a rapid rise and fall. The reporting source
described a what -CORRECTANSWER Meteor Flare
You should release information to the public early in a SAR incident to reduce
inaccurate public speculation about the search -CORRECTANSWER True
In cases involving towing by the Coast Guard or Auxiliary, the vessel being assisted will
normally be taken where -CORRECTANSWER 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 -
CORRECTANSWER Hooking
What component of the SAR system would cover the centralized control and
coordination -CORRECTANSWER Organization
When you communicate with the media you should do what -CORRECTANSWER State
only the facts
Practice Questions with Detailed
Answers|| GRADED A+|| LATEST UPDATE
2026
What criteria should be considered when selecting the OSC -CORRECTANSWER On
scene capabilities, familiarity with SAR, first SRU on scene
What is the abbreviation designation for an expanding square, single unit search pattern
-CORRECTANSWER SS
What are the four most important pieces of information that should be gathered first? -
CORRECTANSWER 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 -CORRECTANSWER 90 degrees to the left
When is the OSC required to send a SITREP to the SMC -CORRECTANSWER Once a
day
What is the formula for calculating POS (success) -CORRECTANSWER 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 -CORRECTANSWER 20 NM
What search pattern is but used when there is high confidence in datum within a small
search area -CORRECTANSWER Sector Search
After determining that you have an overdue or unreported vessel, the next action should
be what -CORRECTANSWER 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 -CORRECTANSWER Creeping Line
What risk management model identifies the risk factors to consider -
CORRECTANSWER Planning
Event
Asset
Communication
Environment
Who can be an official Coast Guard spokesperson -CORRECTANSWER Any Coast
Guard member
,You collect and analyze SAR information as a function of what component of the SAR
system -CORRECTANSWER Documentation
What risk management model is used to identify options in order to reduce operational
risk -CORRECTANSWER Spread out
Transfer
Avoid
Accept
Reject
What type of resources includes fishing vessels -CORRECTANSWER 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 -CORRECTANSWER False report
Where is the Commence Search Point CSP located on a Creeping Line or Parallel
Search Pattern -CORRECTANSWER 1/2 track space (S) in from the sides
Does the Coast Guard have the right to enter posted "Private Property" to conduct SAR
-CORRECTANSWER Yes
A barrier search is used when -CORRECTANSWER A strong current exists
, What factor is not considered in the GAR model -CORRECTANSWER Severity
An SRU should contact the OSC how many minutes prior to arrival in their search area -
CORRECTANSWER 15 minutes
A concerned citizen just reported a flare with a rapid rise and fall. The reporting source
described a what -CORRECTANSWER Meteor Flare
You should release information to the public early in a SAR incident to reduce
inaccurate public speculation about the search -CORRECTANSWER True
In cases involving towing by the Coast Guard or Auxiliary, the vessel being assisted will
normally be taken where -CORRECTANSWER 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 -
CORRECTANSWER Hooking
What component of the SAR system would cover the centralized control and
coordination -CORRECTANSWER Organization
When you communicate with the media you should do what -CORRECTANSWER State
only the facts
