ASC Technology & Digital Tools 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which smartphone app feature is MOST critical for field use during avalanche rescue operations?
- Social media integration
- Offline map functionality (Correct answer)
- Cloud photo backup
- Battery optimization mode
Correct answer: Offline map functionality
Offline map functionality is essential because cell service is often unavailable in backcountry terrain where rescues occur.
Question 2: What does the '457 kHz' frequency standard refer to in avalanche safety technology?
- The GPS update rate for avalanche apps
- The international standard frequency for avalanche transceivers (Correct answer)
- The radio frequency used by ski patrol communications
- The radar frequency in snow study instruments
Correct answer: The international standard frequency for avalanche transceivers
457 kHz is the internationally standardized frequency for avalanche transceivers, ensuring all compliant devices can communicate with each other.
Question 3: When using a digital transceiver in search mode, what does a decreasing signal number typically indicate?
- You are moving away from the victim
- The victim's transceiver battery is dying
- You are moving closer to the victim (Correct answer)
- The search mode needs to be reset
Correct answer: You are moving closer to the victim
A decreasing distance number on a digital transceiver display means you are getting closer to the buried victim.
Question 4: Which avalanche forecasting data source provides the most localized snowpack information?
- Satellite imagery from weather services
- Regional weather model forecasts
- Field observations submitted by local users (Correct answer)
- Historical climate averages
Correct answer: Field observations submitted by local users
Field observations from local users provide the most current and geographically specific snowpack data for a given area.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of an avalanche airbag pack's deployment mechanism?
- To signal rescue teams via radio beacon
- To increase the user's volume and help them stay near the surface during an avalanche (Correct answer)
- To provide oxygen if buried under snow
- To automatically dig a survival air pocket
Correct answer: To increase the user's volume and help them stay near the surface during an avalanche
Avalanche airbags inflate to increase the user's volume, leveraging the inverse segregation effect to help keep them near the surface of the avalanche debris.
Question 6: In avalanche app route planning, what does a 'slope angle layer' help users identify?
- Areas with cell phone coverage
- Terrain steeper than 30° that is avalanche-prone (Correct answer)
- Locations of buried rescue caches
- Historical snowfall accumulation zones
Correct answer: Terrain steeper than 30° that is avalanche-prone
Slope angle layers highlight terrain at or above 30°, the critical threshold where most avalanches release.
Question 7: What technology do modern RECCO reflectors use to aid in avalanche rescue?
- Active GPS transmission
- Passive harmonic radar reflection (Correct answer)
- Bluetooth low-energy signaling
- UHF radio frequency emission
Correct answer: Passive harmonic radar reflection
RECCO reflectors are passive devices that reflect a radar signal emitted by a detector, requiring no battery and no victim action.
ASC Technology & Digital Tools 2
Which smartphone app feature is MOST critical for field use during avalanche rescue operations?