A. Yes, and in order to tell if you are in a conductive salt layer you need to test the dirt. In the instructions it tells you how to put a sample in a plastic bucket and test it. It pinpoints 5 lbs. How long does the target have to be buried before the Accumeter will find it. It is for long time buried targets not for freshly buried ones.
Copper sulfate can expedite the process.
We have 5 lbs. A. No, the current will not jump to make a connection to show resistance. Yes, check the dirt in a plastic bucket. Sometimes you may find a conductive layer in the earth. A cache was found in the Philippines.