100+ Free SAMSA Medical First Aid Practice Questions

Prepare for the SAMSA STCW Section A-VI/4-1 Certificate of Proficiency in Medical First Aid exam with instant access — no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: SAMSA Medical First Aid Exam

100

MCQ Study Adaptation

STCW A-VI/4-1

75%

Passing Score

SAMSA Code

5 Years

Validity Period

STCW 1978 / SAMSA

4 Topics

Core Content Domains

STCW Code Table A-VI/4-1

MFAG

Medical First Aid Guide

IMO / IMDG Code

Our 100 MCQs are an English-language MCQ study adaptation for SAMSA medical first aid certification. The SAMSA Certificate of Proficiency in Medical First Aid assesses a candidate's ability to take immediate, effective first aid action in shipboard emergencies. Key areas evaluated include patient assessment and vital sign monitoring, using the IMDG Code Medical First Aid Guide (MFAG) for toxicological hazards, bandaging, splinting, spinal immobilization, helicopter evacuation, and managing shock, burns, hypothermia, and drowning at sea.

Sample SAMSA Medical First Aid Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your SAMSA Medical First Aid 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 immediate first priority when conducting a primary survey of an ill or injured crew member on board a ship?

A.Assess scene safety and ensure there is no immediate danger to the responder

B.Obtain a full medical history from the chief steward

C.Apply a blood pressure cuff and measure vital signs

D.Administer oral pain medication immediately

Explanation: Before approaching any casualty on board, the first aid responder must ensure scene safety (Danger in DR CABC). Entering a dangerous area without precautions, such as an unventilated enclosed space containing toxic gas, risks making the responder another casualty. Once safety is verified, the responder proceeds to check response, catastrophic bleeding, airway, breathing, and circulation.

2When using the AVPU scale during a shipboard primary assessment, what does the letter 'P' signify?

A.Patient is fully conscious and Polite

B.Patient responds only to Painful stimuli

C.Patient has a normal Pulse rate

D.Patient is Pupil-reactive

Explanation: The AVPU scale assesses mental status quickly: Alert, Voice responsive, Pain responsive, and Unresponsive. 'P' indicates that the patient does not respond to verbal commands but moves or groans in response to a central painful stimulus, such as a sternal rub or nailbed pressure. This indicates a significantly altered level of consciousness.

3What is considered the normal resting respiratory rate range for a healthy adult seafarer at rest?

A.6 to 10 breaths per minute

B.25 to 35 breaths per minute

C.12 to 20 breaths per minute

D.40 to 50 breaths per minute

Explanation: The normal resting respiratory rate for a healthy adult is 12 to 20 breaths per minute. A rate below 12 (bradypnea) may indicate narcotic overdose, hypothermia, or central nervous system depression. A rate above 20 (tachypnea) can signal hypoxia, shock, pain, fever, or respiratory distress.

4Which physical sign indicates severe respiratory distress and impending respiratory failure in a casualty?

A.Pupillary constriction in bright light

B.Warm dry skin with a slow bounding pulse

C.Normal speech in complete sentences

D.Intercostal retractions and central cyanosis (bluish lips and tongue)

Explanation: Intercostal retractions (sucking in of muscles between ribs during inspiration) signal extreme work of breathing, while central cyanosis (bluish discoloration of lips, tongue, and mucous membranes) indicates severe hypoxemia. Together, these findings indicate critical respiratory distress requiring immediate high-flow oxygen and airway management.

5What is the normal resting heart rate range for an adult seafarer?

A.60 to 100 beats per minute

B.40 to 50 beats per minute

C.110 to 130 beats per minute

D.140 to 160 beats per minute

Explanation: A normal adult resting heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. Rates consistently below 60 bpm represent bradycardia (which can be normal in well-conditioned athletes or caused by hypothermia/heart block). Rates above 100 bpm represent tachycardia, commonly caused by pain, fever, shock, hypoxia, or dehydration.

6If a radial pulse cannot be palpated in a conscious crew member following trauma, which central pulse should be checked next?

A.Popliteal pulse

B.Femoral or carotid pulse

C.Dorsalis pedis pulse

D.Posterior tibial pulse

Explanation: When peripheral pulses like the radial pulse are absent due to low blood pressure (typically systolic BP below 80 mmHg), central pulses such as the carotid or femoral arteries must be palpated. Carotid and femoral pulses remain palpable at lower blood pressures (down to ~60-70 mmHg systolic) than peripheral limb pulses.

7When taking a blood pressure reading using a manual sphygmomanometer, what does the first Korotkoff sound heard through the stethoscope indicate?

A.Diastolic blood pressure

B.Mean arterial pressure

C.Systolic blood pressure

D.Pulse deficit

Explanation: The first faint, clear tapping sound heard as the cuff is deflated (Korotkoff phase I) represents the systolic blood pressure. This marks the pressure at which blood begins to flow through the partially compressed artery during cardiac contraction. The complete disappearance of sounds (phase V) indicates the diastolic blood pressure.

8What core body temperature reading is generally considered the threshold for a clinically significant fever (pyrexia) in an adult?

A.36.5°C (97.7°F)

B.37.0°C (98.6°F)

C.41.0°C (105.8°F)

D.38.0°C (100.4°F)

Explanation: A core body temperature of 38.0°C (100.4°F) or higher defines fever (pyrexia). Fever is a systemic response usually triggered by infection, inflammation, or heat illness. Temperatures above 40.0°C represent severe hyperthermia requiring urgent active cooling.

9What is the target normal peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) reading for a seafarer without chronic lung disease?

A.95% to 100%

B.90% to 92%

C.85% to 89%

D.100% only; anything less requires mechanical ventilation

Explanation: Normal pulse oximetry (SpO2) values for healthy individuals at sea level range from 95% to 100%. An SpO2 below 94% indicates hypoxia requiring investigation and supplementary oxygen administration, while readings below 90% represent significant hypoxemia.

10During a secondary head-to-toe survey of an injured crew member, what systematic approach should be followed?

A.Examine painful areas first, then ignore uninjured limbs

B.Perform a rapid, head-to-toe physical assessment inspecting and palpating each body region systematically

C.Focus exclusively on abdominal palpation regardless of injury mechanism

D.Wait 24 hours before conducting any physical exam to allow swelling to subside

Explanation: The secondary survey is a methodical head-to-toe evaluation conducted after primary life threats are stabilized. The first aider systematically inspects and palpates the head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, extremities, and back to identify all injuries, deformities, tender areas, or wounds that were not detected in the primary survey.

About the SAMSA Medical First Aid Exam

The SAMSA Certificate of Proficiency in Medical First Aid is issued pursuant to the Merchant Shipping (Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) Regulations and STCW Section A-VI/4-1. It certifies that a seafarer is competent to apply immediate medical first aid to sick or injured crew members on board ship.

Assessment

100 multiple-choice questions covering shipboard patient assessment, toxicological hazards (MFAG), bandaging/transport, and environmental emergency management

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

75%

Exam Fee

~R2,500 - R4,500 (SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority))

SAMSA Medical First Aid Exam Content Outline

30%

Shipboard Patient Assessment & Vital Sign Monitoring

Primary/secondary survey, AVPU/GCS scale, pulse/BP/respiration/temperature/SpO2 evaluation, pain assessment, radio medical reporting, and triage in maritime emergencies.

25%

IMDG Code Medical First Aid Guide (MFAG) & Toxicological Response

Navigation of MFAG tables, chemical inhalation/dermal/ingestion interventions, antidote administration, medical oxygen equipment, and Telemedical Maritime Assistance Services (TMAS).

25%

Bandaging, Splinting, Spinal Immobilization & Transport

Wound care, pressure dressings, fracture stabilization, traction/inflatable splints, cervical collar placement, spinal board securing, Neil Robertson and Reeves stretcher transfers, and helicopter medevac procedures.

20%

Shock, Burns, Drowning & Environmental Emergency Management

Hypovolemic, anaphylactic, and septic shock management; chemical, thermal, and electrical burn care; submersion/near-drowning CPR and post-resuscitation care; accidental hypothermia rewarming; and heat-related illness.

How to Pass the SAMSA Medical First Aid Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 75%
Assessment: 100 multiple-choice questions covering shipboard patient assessment, toxicological hazards (MFAG), bandaging/transport, and environmental emergency management
Time limit: 2 hours
Exam fee: ~R2,500 - R4,500

Keys to Passing

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

SAMSA Medical First Aid Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master the systematic primary survey (DR CABC: Danger, Response, Catastrophic Hemorrhage, Airway, Breathing, Circulation)

2Practice navigating MFAG tables: locate the UN number in the IMDG index, find the MFAG Table number, and identify the treatment protocol

3Memorize normal ranges for vital signs: adult heart rate (60-100 bpm), respiration (12-20 bpm), blood pressure (120/80 mmHg), and SpO2 (>95%)

4Understand the key differences between hypovolemic, anaphylactic, cardiogenic, and neurogenic shock

5Know the proper rewarming protocol for severe accidental hypothermia: active internal/passive external rewarming without rapid peripheral massage

6Review spinal immobilization procedures and the correct use of cervical collars and rigid spine boards

7Study helicopter evacuation safety guidelines, including static discharge earthing, winch wire safety, and crew coordination

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SAMSA COP in Medical First Aid?

The SAMSA Certificate of Proficiency (COP) in Medical First Aid is a mandatory qualification under STCW Regulation VI/4, paragraph 1 and Section A-VI/4-1. It certifies that seafarers operating on merchant vessels have the required knowledge and practical skills to provide immediate first aid care in case of illness or injury aboard.

Are these 100 practice questions an official SAMSA exam paper?

No. Disclose in detail/blufSummary: Our 100 MCQs are an English-language MCQ study adaptation for SAMSA medical first aid certification. They are designed to help candidates revise core STCW A-VI/4-1 competencies, including patient assessment, MFAG usage, immobilization, and environmental emergency care.

Who is required to hold the SAMSA Medical First Aid certificate?

Any seafarer designated to provide medical first aid on board ship, including deck officers (OOW), chief engineers, second engineers, and designated safety/first aid crew members under STCW requirements.

What is the passing score for the SAMSA Medical First Aid examination?

Candidates must achieve a minimum of 75% on the written theory examination and demonstrate 100% competency on critical practical assessments (such as CPR, bandaging, and stretcher handling) at SAMSA-accredited institutions.

How long is the SAMSA Medical First Aid certificate valid?

The certificate is valid for 5 years. Seafarers must undergo refresher training or demonstrate continued competence as required by SAMSA and STCW regulations.

How is the IMDG Code MFAG tested on the exam?

Candidates must know how to locate appropriate MFAG tables based on UN numbers or Chemical Names, interpret treatment charts (e.g. oxygen administration, eye wash, antidote use), and prepare structured reports for Telemedical Maritime Assistance Services (TMAS).

What stretchers are standard for shipboard patient transport in South Africa?

The Neil Robertson stretcher, Reeves sleeve stretcher, and rigid spine board with head immobilizer are standard for shipboard evacuation, enclosed space rescue, and helicopter winching.