ACA First Aid & Emergency Response Flashcards
6 cards from real ACA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 ACA First Aid & Emergency Response flashcards as text
What is the ACA minimum first aid certification requirement for instructors leading trips on Class III+ water?
Answer: Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or higher with CPR
ACA recommends a minimum of Wilderness First Aid (WFA) plus CPR for instructors on Class III+ water due to the remote nature of river environments.
What are the early signs of hypothermia that an ACA instructor should recognize in a student?
Answer: Shivering, slurred speech, poor coordination, and pale skin
Early hypothermia symptoms include shivering, slurred speech, poor motor coordination, and pale or bluish skin as the core body temperature begins to drop.
What is the correct field treatment for mild-to-moderate hypothermia during an ACA paddling course?
Answer: Remove wet clothing, insulate from ground and wind, provide warm fluids if alert, and shelter from weather
Treatment includes removing wet clothing, insulating the patient from cold surfaces and wind, providing warm sweet fluids if the patient is alert, and protecting from further heat loss.
What is the ACA-recommended response to a paddler who has been submerged and is unresponsive after rescue?
Answer: Begin CPR immediately and activate emergency medical services (EMS)
An unresponsive, non-breathing drowning victim requires immediate CPR and activation of EMS — there is no role for abdominal thrusts in modern drowning resuscitation.
What does SAMPLE stand for in ACA field patient assessment?
Answer: Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent history, Last intake, Events leading up
SAMPLE is a patient history framework: Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent medical history, Last oral intake, and Events preceding the incident.
What is 'cold shock response' and why is it critical knowledge for ACA instructors?
Answer: The sudden, involuntary gasp reflex and hyperventilation triggered by sudden cold water immersion, which can cause drowning
Cold shock is an involuntary gasp reflex and hyperventilation that occurs within the first 30–90 seconds of cold water immersion, which can cause immediate aspiration of water and rapid drowning.