EFA exit exam questions and answers — Set 36 — Elementary First Aid
Set 36 of the Elementary First Aid (EFA) exit exam bank — 30 of 1185 questions, with the correct option marked and a one-line explanation for every one. Read it end to end, jump to a single set, or search it — then sit the same bank as a timed paper. The real DG Shipping exit exam is 30 marks with 15 to pass.
These are the bank's original groupings. Practising deals the whole bank out again every time you reshuffle, so a practice “Set 3” is a different 30 questions each time — the set numbers below are the source file's, and are only used here so the key stays navigable. Options are listed in their original order with fixed letters; when you practise, those move too.
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Set 36 — 30 EFA exit exam questions with answers
1. Approximately how much blood is contained in the adult human body?
- A. About 5 litres
- B. About 2 litres
- C. About 10 litres
- D. About 15 litres
Answer: A — About 5 litres
An average adult has roughly 5 to 6 litres of blood, about 7 to 8 percent of body weight. Loss of more than about a litre quickly causes shock, which is why severe bleeding must be controlled at once.
2. What is a thermal protective aid?
- A. A bag or suit of waterproof material with low thermal conductance that covers the whole body except the face
- B. An immersion suit with built-in buoyancy
- C. A woollen blanket kept in the survival craft
- D. A heated jacket worn on deck
Answer: A — A bag or suit of waterproof material with low thermal conductance that covers the whole body except the face
Under the LSA Code a thermal protective aid is made of waterproof material with low thermal conductance and encloses the whole body except the face. It reduces convective and evaporative heat loss from survivors in survival craft and rescue boats.
3. The abdominal thrust is a technique used to force air out of a choking casualty's lungs. How is it performed?
- A. Stand behind the casualty, place a clenched fist in the centre of the upper abdomen, grasp it with the other hand and pull sharply inwards and upwards
- B. Lay the casualty on the back and press down on the lower chest
- C. Strike the casualty firmly between the shoulder blades
- D. Squeeze the casualty's chest from the sides
Answer: A — Stand behind the casualty, place a clenched fist in the centre of the upper abdomen, grasp it with the other hand and pull sharply inwards and upwards
For abdominal thrusts the rescuer stands behind the casualty, places the fist just above the navel, grasps it with the other hand and pulls sharply inwards and upwards. This raises pressure in the chest and can expel the obstruction.
4. Where should the first aider's hands be placed when giving chest compressions to an adult?
- A. On the lower half of the breastbone in the centre of the chest
- B. On the upper part of the breastbone near the neck
- C. On the tip of the breastbone (xiphoid process)
- D. Over the left side of the chest below the nipple
Answer: A — On the lower half of the breastbone in the centre of the chest
Compressions are given with the heel of one hand on the lower half of the sternum, centre of the chest, other hand on top. Pressing on the xiphoid tip can damage the liver and stomach, and pressing on the ribs causes fractures.
5. Which of these is the most effective method of artificial respiration?
- A. Mouth-to-mouth method
- B. Holger Nielsen method
- C. Silvester method
- D. Schafer prone pressure method
Answer: A — Mouth-to-mouth method
Expired air resuscitation such as mouth-to-mouth delivers about 16 percent oxygen directly into the lungs and lets the rescuer see the chest rise. The older manual methods move far less air and are no longer recommended.
6. The cardiovascular system refers to which parts of the body?
- A. The heart and the blood vessels that circulate the blood
- B. The lungs and airways
- C. The brain and spinal cord
- D. The stomach and intestines
Answer: A — The heart and the blood vessels that circulate the blood
The cardiovascular or circulatory system consists of the heart, which pumps blood, and the arteries, veins and capillaries that carry it to and from the tissues. The lungs belong to the respiratory system.
7. What is a resuscitator?
- A. An oxygen cylinder fitted with a demand valve and face mask to assist breathing
- B. A device that delivers an electrical shock to the heart
- C. A splint used for fractures
- D. A stretcher used for hold rescue
Answer: A — An oxygen cylinder fitted with a demand valve and face mask to assist breathing
A resuscitator is a portable oxygen set with a regulator, demand or positive-pressure valve and mask used to give oxygen or assist ventilation of a casualty. A device that shocks the heart is a defibrillator.
8. Which of these describes basic life support?
- A. Opening the airway, providing breathing and keeping blood moving with chest compressions
- B. Giving drugs to restart the heart
- C. Inserting an advanced airway and ventilator
- D. Treating fractures and wounds
Answer: A — Opening the airway, providing breathing and keeping blood moving with chest compressions
Basic life support covers the ABC of resuscitation: opening and maintaining the airway, providing rescue breaths and circulating blood by chest compressions, plus use of an AED. Drugs and advanced airways belong to advanced life support.
9. Which types of drugs is a crew member permitted to take on board without permission?
- A. None; no drug, even aspirin, should be taken without permission of the Master or authorised officer
- B. Any non-prescription pain killer
- C. Any drug carried in the ship's medicine chest
- D. Sleeping tablets when off watch
Answer: A — None; no drug, even aspirin, should be taken without permission of the Master or authorised officer
Medicines can impair alertness or mask symptoms of serious illness. On board, drugs from the ship's medical stores are issued under the control of the Master or the officer responsible for medical care, who records treatment and can seek radio medical advice.
10. What would you do if you saw a man fall into a cargo hold?
- A. Raise the alarm
- B. Climb down immediately to help him
- C. Throw him a lifebuoy
- D. Wait until he climbs out by himself
Answer: A — Raise the alarm
A hold may have an unsafe atmosphere and the casualty may need a stretcher and rescue team. Raising the alarm at once brings trained rescuers with breathing apparatus and equipment, while entering alone risks a second casualty.
11. How can asthma attacks be triggered?
- A. By nervous tension, allergy, or with no obvious cause
- B. Only by heavy physical exercise
- C. Only by eating spicy food
- D. Only by exposure to sunlight
Answer: A — By nervous tension, allergy, or with no obvious cause
Asthma attacks may be set off by allergens such as dust or pollen, smoke, cold air, infection, exercise or emotional stress, and sometimes occur with no identifiable trigger. The airways narrow, causing wheezing and difficulty in breathing out.
12. A heavy fall or severe blow to the upper part of the abdomen can upset the regularity of breathing. What are the symptoms?
- A. The casualty has difficulty in breathing and may be unable to speak
- B. The casualty breathes rapidly and talks continuously
- C. The casualty has a high fever
- D. The casualty's skin becomes red and hot
Answer: A — The casualty has difficulty in breathing and may be unable to speak
A blow to the upper abdomen (being winded) temporarily paralyses the diaphragm through the solar plexus. The casualty gasps, struggles to breathe and may be unable to speak until normal breathing returns, usually within minutes.
13. The treatment for a muscle strain may be remembered as RICE. What does RICE stand for?
- A. Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
- B. Rub, Immobilise, Cool, Exercise
- C. Rest, Inspect, Clean, Examine
- D. Relax, Ice, Comfort, Exercise
Answer: A — Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Resting the part, applying a cold compress, using a firm bandage and raising the limb reduce swelling, bruising and pain in sprains and strains.
14. What are the signs of someone about to faint?
- A. The person may be very pale, with a slow and weak pulse
- B. The face is flushed red with a strong, bounding pulse
- C. The person has a high temperature and dry skin
- D. The person breathes very deeply and slowly with warm skin
Answer: A — The person may be very pale, with a slow and weak pulse
Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness due to reduced blood flow to the brain. Warning signs include pallor, sweating, yawning, dizziness and a slow, weak pulse before the person collapses.
15. How can you prevent a person who feels faint from fainting?
- A. Tell the person to sit down and lean forward with the head between the knees, taking deep breaths
- B. Make the person stand up and walk briskly
- C. Give the person an alcoholic drink
- D. Splash hot water on the person's face
Answer: A — Tell the person to sit down and lean forward with the head between the knees, taking deep breaths
Lowering the head below the level of the heart, by sitting with the head between the knees or lying down with the legs raised, improves blood flow to the brain and usually prevents a faint.
16. What is the skin colour of a casualty in shock?
- A. Pale or grey
- B. Bright red
- C. Yellow
- D. Normal pink
Answer: A — Pale or grey
In shock the body diverts blood away from the skin to the vital organs, so the skin becomes pale or grey, cold and clammy, with lips sometimes bluish, accompanied by a rapid, weak pulse.
17. When acting as a watcher or attendant at a cargo hold entrance and the men below show signs of distress, what must you do?
- A. Raise the alarm immediately and not enter the space
- B. Enter the space at once to bring them out
- C. Leave the entrance to look for the officer in charge
- D. Close the hatch to prevent gas escaping
Answer: A — Raise the alarm immediately and not enter the space
The attendant at an enclosed space must remain at the entrance, raise the alarm at once and initiate the rescue plan. Entering without breathing apparatus has caused many multiple fatalities when the would-be rescuer is overcome by the same atmosphere.
18. Unconscious casualties who are breathing and have a pulse should be placed in the recovery position. Why is this position important?
- A. It keeps the airway open and lets fluids drain from the mouth
- B. It makes chest compressions easier
- C. It raises the blood pressure
- D. It prevents fractures from moving
Answer: A — It keeps the airway open and lets fluids drain from the mouth
In an unconscious casualty lying on the back the tongue can fall back and vomit can be inhaled. The recovery position keeps the head tilted and the mouth downwards so the airway stays open and fluids drain out.
19. An insect has become lodged in a casualty's ear. How should it be removed?
- A. Gently flood the ear with tepid water so that the insect floats out
- B. Probe the ear with a matchstick or tweezers
- C. Pour hot oil into the ear
- D. Blow forcefully into the ear
Answer: A — Gently flood the ear with tepid water so that the insect floats out
Flooding the ear canal with lukewarm water, with the casualty's head tilted so the affected ear is uppermost, lets a live insect float out. Probing risks pushing it deeper and damaging the eardrum; if unsuccessful, seek medical help.
20. The ABC rule is important for first aiders. What does ABC stand for?
- A. Airway, Breathing, Circulation
- B. Alert, Breathe, Compress
- C. Assess, Bandage, Carry
- D. Ambulance, Bleeding, Consciousness
Answer: A — Airway, Breathing, Circulation
ABC is the order of priorities in assessing a casualty: open and clear the Airway, check Breathing and support it if needed, and maintain Circulation by controlling bleeding and giving chest compressions.
21. Under U.S. legislation, at what blood alcohol concentration is the operator of a commercial vessel considered intoxicated?
- A. 0.04%
- B. 0.08%
- C. 0.10%
- D. 0.15%
Answer: A — 0.04%
U.S. Coast Guard regulations (33 CFR 95 and 46 CFR 4) define an individual operating a commercial vessel as intoxicated at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04 percent or more, half the usual road limit.
22. When using a compression bandage, what shows that the bandage may be too tight?
- A. Fingers or toes beyond the bandage become pale or bluish, cold, numb or tingling
- B. The bandage looks neat and firm
- C. The casualty can move the fingers normally
- D. The skin beyond the bandage is warm and pink
Answer: A — Fingers or toes beyond the bandage become pale or bluish, cold, numb or tingling
A bandage that is too tight restricts circulation below it. Check the fingers or toes beyond the bandage: pallor or blueness, coldness, numbness, tingling or slow return of colour after pressing the nail mean it must be loosened.
23. Exposure to cold conditions may cause ____.
- A. Hypothermia
- B. Hyperthermia
- C. Heat stroke
- D. Heat exhaustion
Answer: A — Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a fall of body core temperature below 35°C caused by exposure to cold air or water. Seafarers in the water or in survival craft are at particular risk, which is why immersion suits and thermal protective aids are carried.
24. What is the recovery position?
- A. The casualty lies on the side, turned slightly towards face-down, with the upper arm and leg bent to stabilise the position
- B. The casualty lies flat on the back with the legs raised
- C. The casualty sits upright leaning against a bulkhead
- D. The casualty lies face-down with the arms by the sides
Answer: A — The casualty lies on the side, turned slightly towards face-down, with the upper arm and leg bent to stabilise the position
In the recovery position the unconscious, breathing casualty lies on the side in a semi-prone posture, head tilted back, upper leg and arm bent to prevent rolling. This keeps the airway open and allows vomit to drain.
25. If a person is in shock, which of these is the correct thing to do?
- A. Reassure the casualty and stay with the person at all times
- B. Give the casualty an alcoholic drink to warm him
- C. Make the casualty walk about to improve circulation
- D. Give large amounts of hot drinks
Answer: A — Reassure the casualty and stay with the person at all times
Shock treatment is to lay the casualty down with legs raised if injuries permit, keep him warm but not overheated, give nothing by mouth, reassure him and never leave him alone, since his condition can deteriorate suddenly.
26. When placing a casualty in the recovery position, the uppermost leg should be:
- A. Raised on a pillow above the level of the heart
- B. Bent at the hip and knee at right angles to stop the casualty rolling forwards
- C. Kept straight in line with the lower leg
- D. Crossed over the lower leg at the ankle
Answer: B — Bent at the hip and knee at right angles to stop the casualty rolling forwards
The bent upper leg, with hip and knee at right angles, forms a prop that keeps the casualty stable on his side so the airway stays open and he cannot roll onto his face.
27. In the recovery position, the casualty's head should be placed so that:
- A. The head is raised on a pillow higher than the body
- B. The head is tilted back and the mouth points downwards so fluids can drain out
- C. The face points upwards to allow easy observation
- D. The chin rests on the chest to protect the neck
Answer: B — The head is tilted back and the mouth points downwards so fluids can drain out
Head tilt keeps the tongue clear of the back of the throat, and with the mouth angled downwards any vomit, blood or saliva drains out instead of being inhaled.
28. If a casualty has to remain in the recovery position for longer than about 30 minutes, the first aider should:
- A. Leave him undisturbed until the doctor arrives
- B. Turn him onto the opposite side to relieve pressure on the lower arm
- C. Sit him up against a bulkhead
- D. Turn him onto his back so breathing can be seen more easily
Answer: B — Turn him onto the opposite side to relieve pressure on the lower arm
Current first aid guidance advises turning a casualty kept in the recovery position for more than about 30 minutes to the other side, relieving pressure on the lower arm while continuing to monitor breathing.
29. An unconscious, breathing woman in late pregnancy should preferably be placed:
- A. Sitting upright
- B. Flat on her back with legs raised
- C. On her left side
- D. On her right side
Answer: C — On her left side
In late pregnancy the uterus can compress the large vein returning blood to the heart when the woman lies on her back or right side; lying on the left side relieves this and keeps the airway safe.
30. An unconscious, breathing casualty with a suspected spinal injury starts to vomit. The correct action is to:
- A. Pull him onto his side by one arm as quickly as possible
- B. Leave him on his back and wipe the mouth
- C. Log-roll him onto his side with helpers keeping the head, neck and trunk in a straight line
- D. Sit him up so the vomit drains
Answer: C — Log-roll him onto his side with helpers keeping the head, neck and trunk in a straight line
An open airway takes priority over a possible spinal injury, but the turn must be done as a log-roll with the head, neck and trunk kept aligned, ideally with several helpers and one person controlling the head.
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