NEW MEXICO SEARCH AND RESCUE
FIELD CERTIFICATION STUDY GUIDE
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS L LATEST
VERSION 2025/2026.
When selecting hiking boots, what things should you consider? - ANS Comfort and fit, ankle
support, sole thickness. They should be waterproof. Also, leather boots will keep out cactus
spines that other expensive materials will not.
If your hands or feet are cold.... (most body heat is lost...) - ANS ... put on your hat.
(...through the head.)
What two types of gloves are required? - ANS Sturdy work gloves (for terrain, rope rescue,
litter carry) and warm gloves/mittens for cold weather.
When are hard hats or helmets vital? - ANS When doing any rock work, when performing a
cave rescue, or any time you are around a helicopter.
Are cotton socks suitable for hiking? - ANS No, not even in the summer.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,What is the ideal combination for hiking socks? - ANS One inner layer of nylon,
polypropylene, silk, or wool and
one outer pair of medium weight wool (hiking sock thickness). A clean pair of socks in your pack
is required.
When dressing in layers, what is the trick? - ANS The trick is to keep warm enough without
sweating and getting wet from the inside out.
Inner layer includes what? - ANS basic underwear and long underwear
Middle layers should be warm. Outer layers should protect from what? - ANS wind and water.
Anywhere in New Mexico, at any time of year, you may need to protect yourself from what? -
ANS Hypothermia
To pass the gear and clothing check section of this Certification, you must: - ANS • Have silk,
synthetics, or wool for the inner layer (next to your skin),
• Wool or synthetics for the middle (warm) layer, and
• A breathable wind/water protective outer layer.
When packing food for yourself, for how long should you plan? - ANS 24 hours
How much water is required for the certification for a 24 hour period? - ANS 2 quarts
(containers only are required for the certification, do not have to be filled with water)
How accurate must your compass be for this certification? - ANS within 5 degrees
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, A vehicle driver or passenger should have a duffel bag or similar container which
could be _______ ________if a walkout were necessary. - ANS easily carried
On average, doing day-to-day activities, you lose about _____ ounces of water through urine
production and another ____ ounces through perspiration and respiration. - ANS 48, 24
We recommend you carry _____ or _____ GALLONS if you are searching for two to four
hours in hot/dry weather. - ANS 1, 2
When working in a cave, how many sources of light may be required - ANS three
By far the most efficient communication method is.... - ANS ... face to face
Before going into the field, you and your team should be briefed.... - ANS ... face to face
Cell phones are ___ _______ _______ in search and rescue. - ANS of limited value
If cell phone communications are necessary, try _____ ______ so that you may be within line-
of-sight of a cell tower. - ANS going uphill
Satellite phones must have what in order to operate? - ANS A clear field of view to a
relatively large area of sky. They are not useful from the bottom of deep, narrow canyons or in
areas with dense tree canopy.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
FIELD CERTIFICATION STUDY GUIDE
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS L LATEST
VERSION 2025/2026.
When selecting hiking boots, what things should you consider? - ANS Comfort and fit, ankle
support, sole thickness. They should be waterproof. Also, leather boots will keep out cactus
spines that other expensive materials will not.
If your hands or feet are cold.... (most body heat is lost...) - ANS ... put on your hat.
(...through the head.)
What two types of gloves are required? - ANS Sturdy work gloves (for terrain, rope rescue,
litter carry) and warm gloves/mittens for cold weather.
When are hard hats or helmets vital? - ANS When doing any rock work, when performing a
cave rescue, or any time you are around a helicopter.
Are cotton socks suitable for hiking? - ANS No, not even in the summer.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,What is the ideal combination for hiking socks? - ANS One inner layer of nylon,
polypropylene, silk, or wool and
one outer pair of medium weight wool (hiking sock thickness). A clean pair of socks in your pack
is required.
When dressing in layers, what is the trick? - ANS The trick is to keep warm enough without
sweating and getting wet from the inside out.
Inner layer includes what? - ANS basic underwear and long underwear
Middle layers should be warm. Outer layers should protect from what? - ANS wind and water.
Anywhere in New Mexico, at any time of year, you may need to protect yourself from what? -
ANS Hypothermia
To pass the gear and clothing check section of this Certification, you must: - ANS • Have silk,
synthetics, or wool for the inner layer (next to your skin),
• Wool or synthetics for the middle (warm) layer, and
• A breathable wind/water protective outer layer.
When packing food for yourself, for how long should you plan? - ANS 24 hours
How much water is required for the certification for a 24 hour period? - ANS 2 quarts
(containers only are required for the certification, do not have to be filled with water)
How accurate must your compass be for this certification? - ANS within 5 degrees
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, A vehicle driver or passenger should have a duffel bag or similar container which
could be _______ ________if a walkout were necessary. - ANS easily carried
On average, doing day-to-day activities, you lose about _____ ounces of water through urine
production and another ____ ounces through perspiration and respiration. - ANS 48, 24
We recommend you carry _____ or _____ GALLONS if you are searching for two to four
hours in hot/dry weather. - ANS 1, 2
When working in a cave, how many sources of light may be required - ANS three
By far the most efficient communication method is.... - ANS ... face to face
Before going into the field, you and your team should be briefed.... - ANS ... face to face
Cell phones are ___ _______ _______ in search and rescue. - ANS of limited value
If cell phone communications are necessary, try _____ ______ so that you may be within line-
of-sight of a cell tower. - ANS going uphill
Satellite phones must have what in order to operate? - ANS A clear field of view to a
relatively large area of sky. They are not useful from the bottom of deep, narrow canyons or in
areas with dense tree canopy.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
