CWI Risk Assessment & Emergency Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A climber reports that a hold feels loose when they test it before a route. What is the FIRST action an instructor should take?
- Tell the climber to avoid that hold and continue
- Close off the route and tag the hold for inspection by a setter (Correct answer)
- Tighten the hold yourself using the nearest T-bar
- Allow the climber to proceed since holds rarely fully detach
Correct answer: Close off the route and tag the hold for inspection by a setter
A loose hold is a significant hazard; the route must be closed and flagged for qualified maintenance before anyone climbs it.
Question 2: During a lead climbing session a student's rope passes behind their leg while climbing. What is the risk?
- Rope drag increases, slowing the climber
- The climber could be flipped upside down or suffer a leg injury in a fall (Correct answer)
- The belayer loses their braking position
- The rope may unclip from a quickdraw
Correct answer: The climber could be flipped upside down or suffer a leg injury in a fall
A rope behind the leg can cause a dangerous inverted fall or rope burn/fracture if the climber falls.
Question 3: What does the acronym STOP stand for in a climbing wall emergency response framework?
- Secure, Transfer, Observe, Proceed
- Stop, Think, Observe, Plan (Correct answer)
- Signal, Triage, Organize, Protect
- Survey, Test, Open, Prevent
Correct answer: Stop, Think, Observe, Plan
STOP (Stop, Think, Observe, Plan) is a decision-making tool to prevent rushed actions that could worsen an emergency.
Question 4: A bouldering climber falls awkwardly onto the crash mat and is not moving. An instructor arrives within seconds. What should happen FIRST?
- Immediately move the climber to a seated position
- Assess the scene for safety, then check for responsiveness (Correct answer)
- Begin chest compressions
- Call for backup instructors before approaching
Correct answer: Assess the scene for safety, then check for responsiveness
Scene safety assessment comes before patient contact to avoid creating additional casualties.
Question 5: Which hazard classification describes something that could cause harm but has currently acceptable controls in place?
- Residual risk (Correct answer)
- Inherent risk
- Uncontrolled hazard
- Critical risk
Correct answer: Residual risk
Residual risk is the remaining risk after controls have been applied and deemed acceptable for the activity.
Question 6: A student complains of severe wrist pain after a bouldering fall. The wrist appears deformed. An instructor should:
- Apply ice and have the student rest before reassessing in 15 minutes
- Immobilize the wrist, keep the student still, and activate EMS (Correct answer)
- Ask the student to gently move the wrist to test range of motion
- Drive the student to urgent care immediately
Correct answer: Immobilize the wrist, keep the student still, and activate EMS
A suspected fracture (deformity) requires immobilization and EMS activation rather than movement or self-transport.
Question 7: When should a dynamic risk assessment be conducted at a climbing wall?
- Only during the annual facility safety review
- Only before the first session of the day
- Continuously throughout a session as conditions and participants change (Correct answer)
- Whenever a new route is set on the wall
Correct answer: Continuously throughout a session as conditions and participants change
Dynamic risk assessment is an ongoing process that adapts to changing conditions such as crowding, fatigue, or equipment wear.
CWI Risk Assessment & Emergency Procedures 2
A climber reports that a hold feels loose when they test it before a route.
What is the FIRST action an instructor should take?