Rescue Techniques & Emergency Response 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 Rescue Techniques & Emergency Response flashcards as text
Which beacon search method is most effective when a single rescuer is searching for a single buried victim?
Answer: Signal search → coarse search → fine search sequence
The three-phase sequence (signal, coarse, fine) is the standard single-rescuer protocol that systematically narrows to the victim's exact location.
In a multiple-burial scenario, what is the recommended beacon search strategy?
Answer: Mark each located victim with a probe and pole before moving to the next signal
Marking each burial point with a probe and pole and then immediately moving to the next signal allows the team to locate all victims quickly before committing to excavation.
What is the primary purpose of switching all rescuers' beacons to 'receive' mode upon entering the debris field?
Answer: To prevent beacon interference that could mask a buried victim's signal
Multiple transmitting beacons create signal interference (crosstalk) that can mask or distort a buried victim's signal, so rescuers switch to receive.
How deep can an avalanche probe typically reach in standard rescue operations?
Answer: 3 meters
Standard avalanche probes are 240–320 cm long, allowing searches to approximately 3 meters depth where most victims are found.
What physical sensation indicates that a probe has struck a buried victim rather than a rock or debris?
Answer: A distinct hollow thud or slight give different from the firm resistance of rocks
A buried human body feels distinctly different — softer with slight give — compared to the hard, immovable resistance of rocks or ice.
When should rescue team members consider the risk of a secondary avalanche and what action should they take?
Answer: Continuously throughout the rescue; post a lookout and identify escape routes before searching
Secondary avalanche risk exists throughout a rescue; a dedicated lookout with a pre-planned alarm signal and escape routes must be established before searching begins.
What is the recommended patient position for transporting a hypothermic avalanche victim to evacuation?
Answer: Horizontal with minimal movement to prevent afterdrop and cardiac complications
Hypothermic victims should be kept horizontal and handled gently to prevent afterdrop and reduce risk of ventricular fibrillation from cold blood reaching the heart.