Question 1

What is the recognised visual distress signal for attracting attention using arm movements alone, with no equipment?

Accepted Answer

Slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering both arms outstretched to the sides — this is an internationally recognised distress signal that requires no equipment and can be performed by anyone, even with no flares, lights, or other signalling aids available Knowing equipment-free signalling methods matters because equipment can be lost, damaged, or used up — the slow, repeated raising and lowering of both outstretched arms is part of the internationally recognised set of distress signals (alongside flares, smoke, and others) precisely so that a person with nothing else available can still signal distress effectively to a passing vessel or aircraft.

Question 2

What does EPIRB stand for, and what is its basic function in a survival situation?

Accepted Answer

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon — once activated (manually or automatically by water immersion), it transmits a distress signal with the vessel's identity and position via satellite to search and rescue authorities, continuing to transmit for an extended period to aid location An EPIRB is one of the most important pieces of GMDSS distress equipment carried aboard — once it activates, satellites pick up the signal and relay position and vessel identity to rescue coordination centres, often within minutes. Knowing it must be physically taken into the liferaft (it is not always automatically released with the raft on every vessel type) is a critical PST knowledge point.

Question 3

What is the key difference between an EPIRB and a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon)?

Accepted Answer

An EPIRB is typically registered to the vessel and often mounted/stowed for the whole crew, while a PLB is a smaller, individually registered device that a single person can carry on their body — useful if separated from the main group or liferaft A PLB's key value is individual portability — a crew member separated from the liferaft or from others in the water still has a working distress beacon on their own person. Many maritime safety authorities now recommend or require individual PLBs for certain roles or operations precisely because relying solely on a single vessel-registered EPIRB leaves a gap if people become separated.