Risk Assessment & Mitigation Flashcards

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'residual risk' in outdoor recreation?

Answer: Risk that remains after all reasonable safety measures have been applied

Residual risk is the level of hazard that persists even after mitigation efforts, and participants must be informed it exists.

A patroller assessing a trauma scene identifies 'mechanism of injury.' This information is used to:

Answer: Predict likely injury patterns and guide the physical exam

Mechanism of injury (MOI) helps the OEC provider anticipate specific injuries that may not yet be symptomatic, guiding a thorough assessment.

When patrolling in cold weather, which environmental condition most rapidly increases the risk of hypothermia for an injured patient?

Answer: Wind combined with wet clothing

Wind chill and wet clothing dramatically accelerate heat loss through convection and conduction, making the combination far more dangerous than cold alone.

During scene size-up, an OEC provider determines the scene is unsafe due to ongoing avalanche activity. The correct action is:

Answer: Do not enter; call for additional resources and wait for safe conditions

An unsafe scene must not be entered until hazards are controlled; protecting responders is the first priority in OEC scene management.

Which of the following is an example of an administrative control in ski area risk management?

Answer: Publishing a trail difficulty rating system

Administrative controls include rules, signage, and information systems (like trail ratings) that manage risk through behavior and knowledge rather than physical barriers.

A trail crew member reports that a rope tow has been making unusual grinding noises. Using a risk priority matrix, this hazard would most likely be rated:

Answer: High probability, high severity — highest priority for correction

Mechanical failure of a rope tow during operation is likely if grinding noises are ignored and could cause serious injury, making it highest priority.

The primary purpose of a pre-season patrol readiness review is to:

Answer: Identify and mitigate hazards before the public arrives on the mountain

Pre-season readiness reviews systematically identify terrain, equipment, and protocol hazards so they can be resolved before guests are exposed.