Case Analysis & Practical Application Flashcards
7 cards from real ASC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Case Analysis & Practical Application flashcards as text
A skier is partially buried (head and one arm above snow) and conscious after a small slide. What is the rescuer's first action?
Answer: Ensure the victim's airway is clear and assess for immediate life threats before extraction
Even partially buried victims can have airway compromise from packed snow around the face and chest; airway and breathing are always assessed first.
During an Extended Column Test (ECT), the result is ECTP15 with 'sudden planar' fracture character. What does this mean for travel decisions?
Answer: High concern — sudden planar fractures indicate easy propagation potential and significant instability
A sudden planar fracture in an ECT, regardless of score, signals a weak layer with high fracture propagation potential, indicating serious instability.
A group leader decides to ski a slope after seeing another skier safely descend it 20 minutes earlier. What human factor error does this represent?
Answer: Heuristic trap: social facilitation and the 'tracks in the snow' shortcut replacing independent hazard assessment
The 'tracks in the snow' heuristic trap leads groups to use others' safe passage as a proxy for stability rather than conducting their own assessment.
A victim buried for 20 minutes is extricated and has an air pocket around their face. They are unconscious but have a pulse. Resuscitation is not needed. What is the critical next step?
Answer: Protect airway, insulate aggressively to prevent afterdrop, and arrange urgent evacuation for hospital rewarming
An unconscious avalanche victim with hypothermia requires airway protection, aggressive insulation to prevent afterdrop, and urgent evacuation for active hospital rewarming.
A touring party observes recent avalanche crowns on multiple aspects during their approach. What does this field observation indicate about the day's travel?
Answer: Widespread recent avalanche activity confirms active instability across aspects — high caution or retreat is warranted
Recent avalanche crowns on multiple aspects are a strong field indicator of widespread instability and should prompt serious reconsideration of planned travel.
During a probe-line search with no beacon signal detected, probers locate a void space but no hard resistance. What does this likely indicate?
Answer: A possible air pocket around a buried victim — continue probing the area carefully to confirm a body
A void space detected by a probe may indicate an air pocket around a buried victim's face, and careful probing of the surrounding area can confirm the body.
A group must cross an exposed avalanche path to reach their objective. The danger rating is Low (1). What is the correct approach to the crossing?
Answer: Cross one at a time with beacons in transmit mode, with observers watching from safe positions
Even at Low danger, crossing an active avalanche path one at a time with beacon precautions is standard practice because low probability events still carry high consequences.