Technology & Digital Tools Flashcards

When programming a radio for multi-agency rescue coordination, which radio protocol allows different agency radios to communicate on a shared tactical channel?

Answer: Interoperability (INTEROP) channels

Federally designated interoperability channels allow different agencies with different radio systems to communicate on preplanned shared frequencies during incidents.

A ski patroller uses a digital patient care report (ePCR) on a tablet. What is the most important action before leaving the scene with a patient?

Answer: Ensure the incident time, mechanism of injury, and vitals are documented

Accurate documentation of time, mechanism, and baseline vitals is legally and medically essential for continuity of care during handoff to EMS.

Which feature of a modern avalanche transceiver most improves rescue speed when multiple victims are buried?

Answer: Multiple burial marking/suppression technology

Multiple burial marking allows rescuers to 'flag' a located victim's signal so the device focuses the searcher on the next buried victim.

An OEC technician downloads a topo map for offline use before a backcountry patrol. What map datum setting should match the GPS device for accurate coordinate display?

Answer: WGS84

WGS84 (World Geodetic System 1984) is the universal datum used by GPS satellites and most modern mapping apps, ensuring coordinates match between devices.

During a night rescue, an OEC provider uses a drone with thermal imaging. Which patient condition might make the victim HARDEST to detect with thermal imaging?

Answer: Severe hypothermia

Severe hypothermia reduces the victim's body temperature to near-ambient levels, dramatically reducing the thermal contrast that makes the victim visible to infrared cameras.

A Garmin inReach device shows 'Tracking Active.' In an OEC rescue scenario, what does this mean for incident command?

Answer: The rescuer's GPS location is being shared in real time via satellite

When tracking is active, the inReach broadcasts GPS position updates at set intervals via Iridium satellite, allowing incident command to monitor rescuer locations.

An OEC provider relies on a weather app that shows wind speeds at summit level. Which data source provides the most accurate near-real-time summit wind data?

Answer: Mountain-specific remote automated weather stations (RAWS)

Remote Automated Weather Stations (RAWS) installed on or near summits provide site-specific, near-real-time wind and temperature data directly relevant to mountain conditions.