100+ Free NIMASA STCW EFA Practice Questions

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Key Facts: NIMASA STCW EFA Exam

70%

Passing Score

STCW Regulations

₦15,000

Exam Fee

NIMASA Tariffs

30 Min

Exam Time Limit

MTI Guidelines

5 Years

Certificate Validity

STCW Code

30:2

CPR Compression Ratio

Resuscitation Council

DRABC

Assessment Protocol

First Aid Standard

The NIMASA STCW Elementary First Aid (EFA) exam is a mandatory assessment for Nigerian seafarers under STCW Table A-VI/1-3. Administered via accredited training providers, it requires a 70% score to pass. The exam covers casualty assessment, CPR, bleeding control, burns, hypothermia, seasickness, and Neil Robertson stretcher transport.

Sample NIMASA STCW EFA Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NIMASA STCW EFA exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under the STCW Elementary First Aid framework, what is the correct order of priorities when executing the DRABC protocol?

A.Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation

B.Danger, Resuscitation, Airway, Breathing, Cardiopulmonary

C.Determine response, Rescue, Airway, Breathing, Compress

D.Damage control, Rescue, Airway, Breathing, Circulation

Explanation: The DRABC protocol represents the standard primary survey sequence: first check for Danger to ensure rescuer safety; check for Response from the casualty; open the Airway; check for Breathing; and check for Circulation/bleeding. This priority order ensures that lifethreatening hazards and conditions are managed in a logical, step-by-step manner.

2Before entering a machinery space or engine room to assist an unconscious crew member, what is the most critical first action?

A.Assess the scene for hazards like gas, electricity, or low oxygen levels.

B.Immediately drag the casualty out of the space to fresh air.

C.Initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) where the casualty is lying.

D.Administer oxygen from the nearest emergency escape breathing device (EEBD).

Explanation: The first rule of first aid is scene safety (Danger in DRABC). On board ships, enclosed spaces or machinery rooms can contain fatal hazards such as toxic gases, electrical leakage, or oxygen depletion. Rescuers must ensure they do not become casualties themselves before entering.

3What does the "Golden Hour" refer to in shipboard emergency medical response?

A.The critical first hour after injury when prompt medical treatment yields the highest chance of survival.

B.The one-hour safety window allowed to report any onboard incident to the company DPA.

C.The duration of a standard watch shift dedicated to medical safety inspections.

D.The time limit within which a vessel must reach a helicopter evacuation zone.

Explanation: The "Golden Hour" is the critical period immediately following traumatic injury or acute illness, during which fast, effective first aid and stabilization significantly reduce mortality. In maritime environments, remote distances make this period even more vital for the first responder to manage.

4Which of the following represents a primary threat to a rescuer attempting to save a casualty from a smoke-filled compartment?

A.Inhalation of toxic combustion products and carbon monoxide

B.Casualty non-cooperation due to panic

C.Incorrect positioning of the casualty during recovery

D.Static electricity discharge from clothing

Explanation: A smoke-filled compartment poses an immediate threat of carbon monoxide poisoning and asphyxiation from toxic gases and low oxygen. A first responder must never enter such an area without appropriate self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

5What is the primary purpose of conducting a primary survey on a casualty?

A.To identify and treat immediate life-threatening conditions.

B.To document the incident for the official ship logbook.

C.To locate minor fractures, sprains, or abrasions.

D.To administer long-term medical treatments and medications.

Explanation: The primary survey (DRABC) is designed to systematically find and address immediate threats to life, such as blocked airways, respiratory arrest, or massive bleeding. Secondary surveys and documentation are conducted only after these primary elements are stabilized.

6What is the primary function of the circulatory system in the human body?

A.To transport oxygen, nutrients, and waste products throughout the body.

B.To regulate body temperature and skin moisture levels.

C.To defend the body against physical impact and external pathogens.

D.To control voluntary and involuntary muscular contractions.

Explanation: The circulatory system, consisting of the heart, blood vessels, and blood, is responsible for delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues and removing metabolic waste products like carbon dioxide. Understanding this function helps first responders recognize why bleeding control and shock management are critical.

7What is the role of the epiglottis in human airway anatomy?

A.To prevent food and liquids from entering the trachea during swallowing.

B.To produce vocal sounds by vibrating as air passes through.

C.To filter dust and pathogens out of inhaled air.

D.To regulate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the alveoli.

Explanation: The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped flap of cartilage located behind the tongue, which folds over the larynx (trachea entrance) during swallowing to prevent food or liquids from entering the lungs. When a casualty is unconscious, the muscles relax, and the tongue or epiglottis can slide back to block the airway.

8When assessing a casualty on board using the AVPU scale, what does the letter "P" stand for?

A.Pain (responds only to painful stimuli)

B.Pulse (has a strong palpable pulse)

C.Pupils (pupils are equal and reactive)

D.Pressure (maintains acceptable blood pressure)

Explanation: The AVPU scale is used to quickly assess a casualty’s level of consciousness: Alert, responds to Voice, responds to Pain, or Unresponsive. A casualty who responds only to pain (e.g., a sternal rub or pinching) represents a serious medical emergency.

9If a compartment where you are treating a casualty suddenly fills with toxic exhaust fumes, what is your immediate course of action?

A.Move the casualty and yourself to a safe, well-ventilated area immediately.

B.Quickly finish administering the first aid treatment in place.

C.Put on a simple dust mask and continue chest compressions.

D.Open the nearest cargo hatch to vent the space manually.

Explanation: Rescuer safety is paramount. If the scene becomes unsafe, the first responder must immediately evacuate themselves and, if possible, the casualty to a safe area before continuing first aid.

10Where is the carotid artery located, and why is it checked by first responders?

A.In the neck; it is the most reliable site to check for a pulse in an unconscious adult.

B.In the wrist; it is used to check blood pressure in conscious patients.

C.In the groin; it is used to control bleeding in the lower extremities.

D.In the upper arm; it is the primary pulse point for infant resuscitation.

Explanation: The carotid artery is located on either side of the neck, running between the trachea and the surrounding muscles. It is the primary site checked for a pulse in an unconscious adult because it remains palpable even when peripheral circulation collapses.

About the NIMASA STCW EFA Exam

Prepare for the NIMASA STCW Elementary First Aid (EFA) exam. Master basic life support, bleeding control, cold water exposure care, and casualty transport at sea.

Questions

30 scored questions

Time Limit

30 minutes

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

₦15,000 (Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA))

NIMASA STCW EFA Exam Content Outline

15%

Introduction, Assessment, and Body Structure

Scene safety, emergency raising of alarm, assessment of casualty using DRABC protocol, and basic human anatomy/body structure appreciation.

20%

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) & Resuscitation

Resuscitation techniques (CPR compressions and rescue breaths at 30:2 ratio), managing choking/airway obstruction, and recovery position on a moving vessel.

20%

Bleeding, Shock, & Wound Management

Controlling external and internal bleeding using direct pressure, elevation, dressings, tourniquets, and managing hypovolemic shock on board.

15%

Burns, Scalds, & Environmental Emergencies

Treating thermal, chemical, and electrical burns, hypothermia, cold water exposure/immersion, heat stroke, and seasickness/motion sickness.

15%

Fractures, Sprains, & Sudden Illnesses

Identifying and immobilizing fractures, sprains, dislocations, handling head and spinal trauma, and identifying common sudden illnesses.

15%

Rescue, Transport, & Equipment

Moving and transporting casualties safely using shipboard equipment like the Neil Robertson stretcher, and utilizing standard ship medical chest contents.

How to Pass the NIMASA STCW EFA Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 70%
Exam length: 30 questions
Time limit: 30 minutes
Exam fee: ₦15,000

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NIMASA STCW EFA Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize the DRABC protocol: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation. Always check for danger before approaching a casualty.

2Understand CPR compressions: the adult CPR ratio is 30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths, compressed at a depth of 5-6 cm at a rate of 100-120 per minute.

3Know how to handle hypothermia: wrap the patient in blankets slowly; never rub their limbs or give them alcohol, as it dilates blood vessels and worsens core temperature drop.

4Know when to use a tourniquet: it is a last-resort option for life-threatening extremity arterial bleeding when direct pressure fails, particularly in remote shipboard environments.

5Identify the Neil Robertson stretcher: it is the standard for vertical lift evacuation from tight spaces like engine room hatches.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the passing score for the NIMASA STCW EFA exam?

The passing score is 70%. Trainees must pass both the written theoretical assessment (multiple-choice) and the hands-on practical assessment (such as performing correct CPR on a manikin).

Who must take the Elementary First Aid (EFA) exam?

All seafarers who wish to work on commercial vessels must complete the EFA course and pass the assessment as part of the mandatory Basic Safety Training (BST) package required by the STCW Code.

How long is the NIMASA STCW EFA certificate valid?

Under STCW regulations, the Elementary First Aid certificate is valid for 5 years, after which seafarers must complete a refresher course to renew their certification.

What is a Neil Robertson stretcher and is it tested?

Yes. The Neil Robertson stretcher is a specially designed canvas and wood splint stretcher used on ships for hoisting casualties vertically from engine rooms, cargo holds, or other confined spaces. Its use and application are core topics in the EFA exam.