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100+ Free SAMSA Elementary First Aid CoP Practice Questions
SAMSA / STCW Section A-VI/1-3 Certificate of Proficiency in Elementary First Aid practice questions are available now; exam metadata is being verified.
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Sample SAMSA Elementary First Aid CoP Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your SAMSA Elementary First Aid CoP exam readiness. 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 Practice Questions
Verified exam format metadata for SAMSA / STCW Section A-VI/1-3 Certificate of Proficiency in Elementary First Aid is pending. The practice questions above remain available while official exam length, timing, passing score, fee, and administrator details are reviewed.