Safety Equipment Usage & Risk Management 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 Safety Equipment Usage & Risk Management flashcards as text
What is the recommended 'one at a time' exposure rule in backcountry avalanche terrain?
Answer: Only one person should be in exposed terrain at a time while others wait in a safe zone
The one-at-a-time rule means one person moves through the exposed zone while the rest watch from a safe area, limiting burial victims if a slide occurs.
Which factor is MOST critical when selecting a safe observation point to watch a partner cross avalanche terrain?
Answer: The observation point must be outside the avalanche path and runout zone
The observation point must be outside both the avalanche path and its runout zone so the observer is not buried and can perform rescue if needed.
When should an avalanche transceiver battery be replaced or recharged before a backcountry trip?
Answer: When the battery level is below 50% before the day's activity begins
Transceivers should have at least 50% battery before a trip; cold temperatures drain batteries faster than indicated, and a failing battery mid-rescue can be fatal.
What is 'terrain trapping' and why does it increase avalanche risk?
Answer: Features like cliffs, trees, or gullies below a slope that worsen burial consequences if caught in an avalanche
Terrain traps are features below a slope (cliffs, trees, gullies, creek beds) that dramatically increase burial depth and trauma if a rider is carried into them by an avalanche.
Which probe technique is recommended for the most efficient systematic search of a debris field?
Answer: Grid probing with 25–75 cm spacing, working methodically across the debris
Systematic grid probing with 25–75 cm spacing ensures thorough coverage of the debris field and minimizes the chance of missing a buried victim.
What does the term 'decision fatigue' refer to in the context of avalanche risk management?
Answer: The gradual degradation of judgment quality after making many decisions, leading to increased risk acceptance
Decision fatigue in avalanche terrain refers to reduced judgment quality as a trip progresses, often causing groups to accept greater risks later in the day or on multi-day tours.
If a victim is found partially buried with the head downslope, what is the immediate first priority after uncovering the airway?
Answer: Create an air pocket and clear the airway of snow before assessing breathing
Clearing the airway of snow and creating a breathing space is the immediate priority; the victim may be alive but asphyxiating, and airway management takes precedence over movement.