NTTP 3-50.1 Chapter 1/Preface HSM-50

Question 1

Where can you find your SAR region, subregion, sector, and coordinator?

Answer 1

National SAR plan

Question 2

Situations in which a naval unit may become involved in SAR

Answer 2

1. Vessel in distress
2. Vessel responding
3. Organized SAR effort
4. Under direction of OTC

Question 3

SAR organization overview

Answer 3

RCC (Rescue coordination center)
SMC (SAR Mission Coordinator)
OSC (On Scene Commander)
SU (Search Unit)

Question 4

Survivor Sighting

Answer 4

Call out position (clock method, distance)

Turn to keep visual contact

Consider dropping smokes as a marking post from initial location

Question 5

Multiple rescue (definition, when to avoid, short hauling)

Answer 5

Definition: More than one survivor and RS remains in the water, aides in retrieving all survivors, and is recovered last

Shall avoid multiple rescues when a great deal of swimming is required

Hazardous during night/IMC

Crew should consider short hauling between survivors if…

1. Sea state of 2 or greater
2. Night/IMC
3. More than 25 yards between survivors

Question 6

What document can you use to estimate sea state?

Answer 6

SAR TACAID

Question 7

Parachute in the water - rotor distance

Answer 7

When a parachute is in the rescue area, it shall be approached no closer than 1 rotor diameter width outside the rotor wash area

Question 8

Survivor - helicopter positioning

Answer 8

Into the wind, survivor at 3 o’ clock, good visibility

Question 9

When shall the RS enter the water to assist?

Answer 9

The RS shall enter the water and assist the survivor in ALL cases except when the HAC determines that the circumstances will endanger the RS unnecessarily

Question 10

Direct deployment and parachutes

Answer 10

DD procedures shall not be used if survivor has parachute attached

Question 11

The RS shall be deployed via the hoist when…

Answer 11

1. Night/IMC/Low vis
2. Other hazards in the vicinity
3. At the discretion of the HAC

Question 12

In the event of lost visual contact with the swimmer, the HAC shall…

Answer 12

Cycle the hover/flood light. The RS shall illuminate the strobe light.

Question 13

DD was developed as a tool for…

Answer 13

Extreme situations such as

• surf zone
• heavy seas
• high winds
• swift water
• ice

Question 14

DD shall only be utilized….

Answer 14

When the crew has determined that it is the safest method of recovery

Question 15

Only harnesses allowed to be use for DD

Answer 15

QS in conjunction w/ the TSH

Question 16

When can you use DD w/ a survivor w/ a spinal injury?

Answer 16

When other methods would place the RS and/or survivor’s lives at risk

Question 17

DD procedures and ejected aviators

Answer 17

Should not be used on ejected

Shall not be used if entangled in a parachute

Question 18

When to utilize the rescue strop

Answer 18

Non aviator/civilian survivors. Allows for survivor and swimmer to be hoisted together

Question 19

What must be deployed w/ the litter?

Answer 19

The trail line assembly

Question 20

What way does the litter come in the door?

Answer 20

Feet first (most of the time)

Question 21

Weak link of trail line

Answer 21

Breaks at 450 lbs

Question 22

If the rescue hoist is jammed what is the recommended course of action?

Answer 22

Perform jammed hoist procedures and lower the survivor back down into the water by changing altitude. They can then unhook themselves

Question 23

When to use cable grip

Answer 23

Jammed hoist (holds it on place on the frame of the rescue hoist)

Question 24

When to use quick splice

Answer 24

Severed cable (able to reattach to new hoist)