ACA Trip Planning & Leadership 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 Trip Planning & Leadership flashcards as text
What is a 'portage' in paddling, and how does an instructor decide when to use it?
Answer: Carrying the boat overland around an unrunnable or too-dangerous section of water
A portage means carrying the boat around a hazard on land, and it is chosen when running a section poses unreasonable risk relative to the group's skill level.
What is the role of 'risk-benefit analysis' in ACA instructor decision-making on the water?
Answer: Weighing the educational or recreational value of an activity against its potential hazards to decide if it is appropriate
Risk-benefit analysis helps instructors decide whether the value of running a feature or activity justifies the level of risk to the group.
Which U.S. agency provides real-time river flow data most widely used by paddlers in trip planning?
Answer: USGS (U.S. Geological Survey)
The USGS National Water Information System provides real-time gauge data for thousands of U.S. rivers, making it the primary resource for paddlers checking water levels.
What is the ACA 'Paddler's Code of Ethics' principle regarding other river users?
Answer: Paddlers should respect other recreationists, minimize conflicts, and yield to the least maneuverable vessel
The ACA's ethics code calls for mutual respect among river users and recommends yielding to less maneuverable craft to reduce conflict and promote safe coexistence.
Why is it important for an ACA instructor to assess student stress levels throughout a paddle session?
Answer: High stress impairs decision-making, increases risk of capsize, and can turn a manageable situation into an emergency
Elevated stress narrows a paddler's focus and degrades motor skills, making accidents more likely — instructors should monitor and manage group stress proactively.
What is the ACA's recommended protocol when a paddling group encounters conditions significantly worse than expected?
Answer: Turn back, take out early, or wait out conditions — never continue if risk exceeds acceptable limits
The ACA emphasizes that returning, early take-out, or waiting is always acceptable — there is no obligation to complete a trip when conditions become unsafe.