Free Practice Questions for SAMSA Elementary First Aid CoP

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Sample SAMSA Elementary First Aid CoP Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the SAMSA Elementary First Aid CoP exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the recommended chest compression rate for high-quality CPR in an adult casualty onboard a vessel?

A.100 to 120 compressions per minute

B.60 to 80 compressions per minute

C.80 to 100 compressions per minute

D.130 to 150 compressions per minute

Explanation: International maritime first aid and STCW guidelines specify a chest compression rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute for adult casualties. Rates below 100 per minute result in insufficient blood flow to vital organs, while rates exceeding 120 per minute impair chest wall recoil and coronary perfusion.

2What is the recommended chest compression depth for an adult casualty during CPR?

A.At least 2.5 cm (1 inch) but not exceeding 3.5 cm (1.4 inches)

B.At least 5 cm (2 inches) but not exceeding 6 cm (2.4 inches)

C.At least 7.5 cm (3 inches)

D.Exactly 4 cm (1.5 inches)

Explanation: For adult resuscitation at sea, compressions must be at least 5 cm (2 inches) deep but should not exceed 6 cm (2.4 inches). Compressing too shallowly does not squeeze the heart adequately to pump blood, whereas excessive depth increases the risk of rib fractures and visceral organ injury.

3What compression-to-ventilation ratio should a single first-aider use for an adult casualty in cardiac arrest?

A.5 compressions to 1 ventilation

B.15 compressions to 2 ventilations

C.30 compressions to 2 ventilations

D.50 compressions to 5 ventilations

Explanation: Standard STCW and SAMSA elementary first aid protocols dictate a 30:2 ratio of chest compressions to rescue breaths for single-rescuer adult CPR. This balance optimizes artificial circulation while providing adequate ventilation.

4What is the primary underlying cause of cardiac arrest in seafarers rescued from near-drowning incidents?

A.Acute hypovolemic shock caused by salt water ingestion

B.Primary ventricular fibrillation due to pre-existing coronary artery disease

C.Sudden massive pulmonary embolism from leg vein thrombosis

D.Hypoxia resulting from airway submersion and asphyxiation

Explanation: In drowning or near-drowning incidents at sea, cardiac arrest is primarily hypoxic (asphyxial) in origin due to lack of oxygen from airway submersion. Because hypoxia is the root cause, providing immediate effective ventilations alongside chest compressions is critical for survival.

5When approaching an unconscious crew member lying on a ship's deck or in a compartment, what is the first priority for the first-aider?

A.Ensure the scene is safe for the first-aider and casualty before entering

B.Immediately open the casualty's airway with a head-tilt chin-lift

C.Begin chest compressions at 100 to 120 beats per minute

D.Apply an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

Explanation: Scene safety is the paramount first step in maritime emergency response. Ships present unique hazards such as toxic gases (e.g. H2S in cargo holds), oxygen deficiency, electrical hazards, or moving machinery, which could incapacitate the responder if ignored.

6How should CPR guidelines be modified when performing resuscitation on a non-breathing drowning victim retrieved from the sea?

A.Omit rescue breaths entirely and perform Hands-Only CPR

B.Give 5 initial rescue breaths (ventilations) before commencing chest compressions

C.Perform compressions at a reduced depth of 2 cm to avoid lung water displacement

D.Place the casualty head-down on an inclined gangway to drain water from the lungs prior to CPR

Explanation: Because drowning causes severe hypoxia, maritime first aid standards recommend delivering 5 initial rescue breaths to oxygenate the casualty before starting the standard 30:2 compression-to-ventilation CPR cycles. Postponing compressions for initial breaths targets the underlying asphyxia.

7Where should the electrode pads of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) be positioned on an adult casualty?

A.Both pads on the left chest wall directly over the heart apex

B.One pad over the center of the sternum and one pad directly over the spine between the shoulder blades

C.One pad below the right clavicle and one pad on the left lower lateral chest wall below the axilla

D.One pad on the upper abdomen and one pad on the lower right chest

Explanation: Standard anterolateral pad placement requires positioning one pad below the right collarbone (clavicle) and the second pad on the left lower side of the rib cage (mid-axillary line below the armpit). This orientation ensures electrical current travels straight through the cardiac muscle.

8If an AED prompt announces 'No Shock Advised' during resuscitation of an unconscious casualty at sea, what action should the first-aider take immediately?

A.Remove the electrode pads and place the casualty in the recovery position

B.Turn off the AED machine and prepare the casualty for immediate evacuation

C.Check for a carotid pulse for 60 seconds before taking any further action

D.Immediately resume chest compressions and follow AED prompts

Explanation: 'No Shock Advised' indicates the cardiac rhythm is non-shockable (e.g. asystole or pulseless electrical activity). The first-aider must immediately resume high-quality chest compressions at 30:2 and re-assess when prompted by the AED after 2 minutes.

9An unconscious casualty on a vessel is observed to make infrequent, noisy, gasping respiratory efforts. How should the first-aider interpret and respond to this sign?

A.Recognize agonal gasps as a sign of cardiac arrest and start CPR immediately

B.Treat as normal breathing and monitor the casualty in the recovery position

C.Administer oral fluids to clear throat obstruction

D.Wait 5 minutes to see if regular breathing pattern returns naturally

Explanation: Agonal gasps are irregular, heavy, or noisy gasping sounds produced by a dying brain reflex in early cardiac arrest. They are NOT normal breathing and must be treated as absent breathing by immediately initiating CPR.

10What is the correct technique and maximum time limit for checking a pulse in an unresponsive adult casualty before initiating CPR?

A.Check the radial pulse at the wrist for 30 to 60 seconds

B.Palpate the carotid pulse in the neck groove for no more than 10 seconds

C.Listen over the chest wall with an ear for at least 2 minutes

D.Check the femoral pulse in the groin for 20 seconds

Explanation: First-aiders trained in BLS check for breathing and a carotid pulse simultaneously for at least 5 seconds but no more than 10 seconds. If no pulse is felt or if there is any doubt within 10 seconds, chest compressions must commence immediately.

About the SAMSA Elementary First Aid CoP Exam

Comprehensive practice question bank for the SAMSA / STCW Section A-VI/1-3 Certificate of Proficiency in Elementary First Aid examination in South Africa.

Exam sponsor: South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

100 multiple-choice questions

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

60%

Exam / Certification Fees

R 1,100

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: ~85%. estimated pass rate for prepared candidates This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

30%

CPR & Basic Life Support at Sea

Airway management, chest compressions, AED operation, drowning resuscitation, and artificial respiration aboard vessels.

25%

Hemorrhage, Shock & Wound Care

Direct pressure, arterial pressure points, tourniquets, hypovolemic shock management, and marine wound infection control.

25%

Fractures, Dislocations & Transport

Immobilization, splinting techniques, spinal protection, Neil Robertson stretcher handling, and casualty transfer at sea.

20%

Hypothermia, Burns & Maritime Emergency Response

Immersion hypothermia treatment, cold water shock, thermal/chemical burns, blast injuries, and International Medical Guide for Ships emergency protocols.

Preparing for the SAMSA Elementary First Aid CoP Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 60%
Assessment: 100 multiple-choice questions
Time limit: 2 hours
Exam / certification fees: R 1,100 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

Work through all 100 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SAMSA Elementary First Aid Certificate of Proficiency?

It is a mandatory STCW Section A-VI/1-3 safety qualification issued in South Africa by SAMSA. It certifies that seafarers are competent to take immediate first-aid action upon encountering an accident or medical emergency onboard a vessel.

What topics are covered on the SAMSA EFA exam?

The exam tests four key areas: CPR & Basic Life Support at Sea (30%), Hemorrhage, Shock & Wound Care (25%), Fractures, Dislocations & Transport (25%), and Hypothermia, Burns & Maritime Emergency Response (20%).

Are these practice questions official SAMSA exam materials?

No. Our 100 MCQs are an English-language MCQ study adaptation designed specifically for seafarers preparing for SAMSA STCW Section A-VI/1-3 elementary first aid assessments.