RSO Emergency Procedures Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A shooter on the firing line suddenly collapses and is unresponsive but breathing. After calling a cease-fire and ensuring all firearms are safe, what is the RSO's immediate priority?
- Interview other shooters to determine what happened.
- Direct someone to call 911 and retrieve the range's trauma kit/AED. (Correct answer)
- Move the collapsed shooter off the firing line to the ready area.
- Begin administering chest compressions immediately.
Correct answer: Direct someone to call 911 and retrieve the range's trauma kit/AED.
After ensuring the scene is safe (cease-fire), the absolute first priority in a medical emergency is to activate the professional emergency response system (call 911) and retrieve essential on-site equipment like a trauma kit and an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). This ensures help is dispatched as quickly as possible while preparing for immediate intervention.
Question 2: An RSO observes a shooter experience a "click" instead of a "bang" and the shooter immediately begins to open the firearm's action. What is the RSO's most critical and immediate command?
- "Cease fire! Make the line safe!"
- "Malfunction! Unload and show clear."
- "Is your safety on? Check your safety."
- "STOP! Keep the muzzle pointed downrange!" (Correct answer)
Correct answer: "STOP! Keep the muzzle pointed downrange!"
The "click" indicates a potential hangfire, where the primer ignites but the powder charge is delayed. The greatest danger is the round discharging after the action is opened. The RSO's immediate priority is to issue a direct, simple command to stop the unsafe action and enforce the rule of keeping the muzzle pointed downrange for a minimum of 30-60 seconds.
Question 3: A well-equipped range trauma kit should be specifically organized to prioritize the treatment of which type of injury?
- Minor burns from hot brass.
- Severe bleeding and penetrating trauma. (Correct answer)
- Sprains and fractures from falls.
- Hearing damage from impulse noise.
Correct answer: Severe bleeding and penetrating trauma.
The most severe, life-threatening injury likely to occur on a shooting range is catastrophic hemorrhage from a gunshot wound. Therefore, a range trauma kit must prioritize supplies to control severe bleeding, such as tourniquets, hemostatic agents (like combat gauze), and pressure dressings.
Question 4: Following a serious incident on the range that has been medically stabilized, what is the RSO's primary responsibility while awaiting the arrival of law enforcement?
- Secure the involved firearm and control access to the immediate area. (Correct answer)
- Dismiss all witnesses from the range to protect their privacy.
- Allow other shooters to resume firing on adjacent, unaffected lanes.
- Write a detailed incident report for the range owner immediately.
Correct answer: Secure the involved firearm and control access to the immediate area.
After life safety is addressed, the RSO's duty shifts to scene preservation for the official investigation. This includes securing the involved firearm(s) in a safe state without altering evidence, and preventing unauthorized personnel from entering or disturbing the area. This ensures the integrity of the scene for law enforcement.
Question 5: In the event of an emergency requiring a 911 call, which of the following pieces of information is most critical for the RSO to convey to the dispatcher first?
- The number of people currently at the range.
- The name and certification number of the RSO on duty.
- The precise physical address of the range and the nature of the emergency. (Correct answer)
- The specific type and caliber of firearm involved, if any.
Correct answer: The precise physical address of the range and the nature of the emergency.
Emergency dispatchers need two pieces of information above all else to send help: the exact location of the emergency and what kind of emergency it is (e.g., "unconscious person," "gunshot wound"). Providing a clear, precise address and the nature of the incident allows them to dispatch the correct type and number of responders to the right place without delay.
Question 6: Which type of fire extinguisher is most appropriate and commonly found on a shooting range for handling various potential fire hazards, including burning gunpowder?
- Class A (Water)
- Class ABC (Dry Chemical) (Correct answer)
- Class K (Wet Chemical)
- Class D (Combustible Metals)
Correct answer: Class ABC (Dry Chemical)
A Class ABC fire extinguisher is versatile and effective against Class A (ordinary combustibles), Class B (flammable liquids), and Class C (electrical) fires. This makes it the most suitable choice for a range environment where any of these fire types could occur. Smokeless powder contains its own oxidizer, but an ABC extinguisher can effectively smother the fire and combat secondary fires in surrounding materials.
RSO Emergency Procedures Questions and Answers
A shooter on the firing line suddenly collapses and is unresponsive but breathing.
After calling a cease-fire and ensuring all firearms are safe, what is the RSO's immediate priority?