ACA Rescue Techniques & Swift Water 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 Rescue Techniques & Swift Water flashcards as text
What is 'wading rescue' and when does ACA recommend it over swimming rescue?
Answer: Wading is used in shallow, moderate current where the rescuer can maintain footing safely
Wading rescue is appropriate in shallow water with manageable current where a rescuer can maintain stable footing, offering more control than swimming to a victim.
In ACA rescue instruction, what is the 'talk-to-swim' progression for a rescue response?
Answer: A four-step scale from verbal coaching to physical swimming rescue, escalating risk level with each step
The talk-to-swim progression scales rescue response from verbal instruction, to reaching, to throwing, to boat-based, and finally to swimming rescue — escalating rescuer risk at each step.
What is the correct position for an ACA-trained rescuer receiving a swimmer on a throw rope in current?
Answer: Brace in a stable stance, anchor the rope across the hip, and lean back to swing the swimmer to shore
The rescuer should brace in a wide, stable stance, wrap the rope around the hip as a belay, and lean back so the current swings the swimmer to shore on the pendulum arc.
According to ACA swift water safety, why should you never tie a rescue rope directly around your waist?
Answer: It can create a dangerous anchor point that holds a swimmer under in powerful current
Tying a rope directly around the waist can anchor a swimmer against the current, pulling them underwater rather than allowing the pendulum to swing them to shore.
What is the ACA-recommended safe shore position for a downstream safety paddler during a rescue scenario?
Answer: In a calm eddy downstream with clear view of the rapid and accessible throw rope
The downstream safety paddler should position in a stable eddy with clear sight lines to the hazard, ready with a throw rope to intercept any swimmer who comes through.
What does ACA instruct regarding the use of rope systems near hydraulics?
Answer: Extreme caution is required — ropes can trap swimmers in hydraulics and should generally not be thrown into them
Throwing a rope into a hydraulic can pin a swimmer deeper in the recirculating feature rather than extracting them — ACA teaches extreme caution and alternative techniques for hydraulic rescues.