Practice Exam Questions And Correct

Ohio Swift Water Rescue Technician Practice Exam Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2025|2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• What is the primary objective of swift water rescue operations?
• To recover property
• To save lives
• To map the river
• To prevent flooding

Rationale: The main goal of swift water rescue is to save lives, with

property recovery being secondary.

• What is the minimum personal flotation device (PFD) requirement for

rescuers in swift water?

• Foam vest
• Type III or higher PFD 1 / 4

• Life belt only
• No PFD needed

Rationale: Rescuers must wear an approved Type III or higher PFD for

safety in swift water conditions.

• Which of the following is the safest entry method for entering swift

water?

• Jumping from rocks
• Using a low-angle bank entry
• Wading in from deep water
• Rappelling directly from a cliff

Rationale: Low-angle bank entries reduce the risk of being swept away by

current.

• Which knot is commonly used for tying a rescue line to a person?
• Square knot
• Overhand knot
• Clove hitch
• Figure-eight knot

Rationale: The figure-eight knot is secure and easy to inspect, commonly

used in rescue scenarios.

• What is the recommended distance between rescuers during a

horizontal rescue line operation?

• 2-3 feet 2 / 4

• 5-10 feet
• 10-15 feet
• 20-25 feet

Rationale: Maintaining 10-15 feet spacing helps prevent multiple rescuers

from being swept away if one loses footing.

• What is the main purpose of a throw bag?
• To measure river depth
• To provide a floating rescue line to a victim
• To anchor the boat
• To carry gear

Rationale: Throw bags contain rope that can be deployed to a victim for

rescue without entering the water.

• What is the “rescue triangle” in swift water rescue?
• Equipment setup
• Victim, rescuer, and rescue line
• River hazard map
• Boat anchoring method

Rationale: The rescue triangle refers to the relationship between the

rescuer, the victim, and the rope system.

• Which signal is commonly used to indicate “all clear” during a rescue?
• Waving both arms
• Shouting loudly 3 / 4

• Hand signal of thumbs up
• Whistle blasts

Rationale: Standard hand signals such as thumbs up communicate clearly

without voice, which may be hard to hear over rapids.

• In swift water, what type of swim technique is preferred to avoid

injury?

• Breaststroke
• Dog paddle
• Defensive swimming
• Freestyle sprint

Rationale: Defensive swimming, facing upstream with feet downstream,

allows rescuers to navigate currents safely.

• What is the maximum recommended length for a throw bag line

for swift water rescue?

• 10 feet
• 25 feet
• 50 feet
• 100 feet

Rationale: A 50-foot line provides sufficient reach for most rescue scenarios

while remaining manageable.

• What is the first action a rescuer should take when approaching

a victim in swift water?

• / 4