NIMASA STCW PST flashcards

33 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

General emergency alarm signal

Seven or more short blasts followed by one long blast on the ship's whistle and internal alarm. It calls all persons to their muster stations for roll call and instruction.

Abandon ship order

Given only by the master, usually verbally, followed by the general alarm. No one boards a survival craft before this order is given.

Muster list contents

Assigns every person a muster station, a survival craft, and emergency duties, and names substitutes for key roles. Posted in accommodation, bridge, and engine room.

Drill frequency requirement

Each crew member takes part in at least one abandon-ship drill and one fire drill every month. Drills occur within 24 hours of leaving port if over 25 percent of crew changed.

Man overboard signal

Three long blasts on the whistle, followed by the bridge team manoeuvring the ship and launching a recovery craft. The lifebuoy with smoke signal is released immediately.

Lifejacket buoyancy standard

Turns an unconscious wearer face-up and holds the mouth at least 120 mm above water. Adult lifejackets provide at least 100 N buoyancy in the standard type.

Lifebuoy distribution

At least eight on cargo ships over 200 m; at least half carry self-igniting lights, at least two carry buoyant lifelines, and at least two carry self-activating smoke signals.

Immersion suit performance

Reduces body heat loss and must allow the wearer to climb a 5 m ladder, jump from 4.5 m, swim 25 m, and board a liferaft. Worn over warm clothing.

Thermal protective aid

A waterproof foil bag used after boarding a craft to reduce heat loss from evaporation and convection. It does not replace dry clothing or a lifejacket.

Lifejacket light requirement

A flashing white light visible for at least 2 nautical miles with a battery life of at least 8 hours. Check the battery expiry date during inspections.

Cold shock response

Sudden immersion in water below about 15 C causes an uncontrollable gasp and hyperventilation for 1 to 3 minutes. Controlling breathing prevents drowning in this phase.

1-10-1 principle

About 1 minute to control breathing, about 10 minutes of useful movement before cold incapacitation, and about 1 hour before unconsciousness in cold water.

HELP position

Heat Escape Lessening Posture: arms crossed over the chest, knees drawn up, lifejacket inflated. Reduces heat loss when alone or in a small group in the water.

Huddle position

Two or more survivors lock arms and press torsos together in the water. It reduces heat loss and allows mutual monitoring and encouragement.

Hypothermia rewarming

Remove wet clothing, insulate, and apply gentle heat to the trunk, not the limbs. Give warm sweet drinks only if fully conscious. Handle gently to avoid cardiac arrest.

Drowning first aid

Start rescue breathing and CPR as soon as the casualty is on a stable platform. Do not delay to remove water from the lungs.

Liferaft painter and weak link

The painter attaches the raft to the ship and inflates it when pulled. The weak link breaks if the ship sinks with the raft still attached.

Liferaft water ration

At least 1.5 litres of drinking water per person is carried in the raft equipment. Ration it and do not drink seawater at any time.

Lifeboat engine drill check

Start and run the lifeboat engine during drills, check fuel and battery, and run it for at least 5 minutes. It should reach 6 knots in calm water.

Free-fall lifeboat boarding

Sit down, fasten the four-point harness, and brace the head against the headrest. Launch by releasing the hook from inside the craft.

On-load release gear hazard

Accidental release during drills is a known cause of fatalities. Check and reset the gear correctly, and keep everyone clear of the falls and under the boat.

Boarding a liferaft from water

Grab the boarding handle at the entrance and roll into the raft. If too weak, use the ladder or accept help from people already inside.

Actions after boarding craft

Cut or secure the painter, stream the sea anchor, close the canopy, and take a head count. Keep clear of the ship's side and propellers.

Jumping into water procedure

Jump only if the craft cannot be launched and the ship is sinking. Keep feet together, hold the lifejacket, and cover nose and mouth on entry.

Survival priorities

Protection from cold, sun, and sea; location so rescuers can find you; and water rationing. Do not drink seawater under any circumstances.

Distress signal groups of three

Three whistle blasts, three torch flashes, or three flare displays in succession are recognised distress signals at sea.

CPR compression standard

Chest compressions at 100 to 120 per minute with a depth of 5 to 6 cm, using a ratio of 30 compressions to 2 breaths.

EPIRB function

Floats free and activates automatically if the ship sinks. Transmits on 406 MHz to the COSPAS-SARSAT system and includes a 121.5 MHz homing signal.

SART function

Responds to a 9 GHz radar interrogation by showing a series of dots on the rescuer's radar screen. Range is about 5 nautical miles.

Parachute flare specification

Red flare visible for at least 40 km, burning for about 40 seconds. Fired high to attract attention from distant vessels or aircraft.

Line-throwing appliance range

Throws a line at least 230 m with reasonable accuracy. Used to pass a hawser to another vessel or to the shore.

Drill PPE requirement

Wear the same PPE as in a real emergency: hard hat, lifejacket, immersion suit, gloves, and safety shoes. This tests both equipment and wearer.

Enclosed-space atmosphere test

Test for oxygen (at least 20 percent), flammable gas, and toxic gas before entry. Use a permit and post a standby person at the entrance.