Risk Management & Mitigation Flashcards
7 cards from real ASA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Risk Management & Mitigation flashcards as text
A crewmember is found unresponsive in the cabin after the engine has been running in a slip for several hours. What is the immediate priority?
Answer: Remove them to fresh air immediately and call for emergency services
Carbon monoxide poisoning requires immediate removal to fresh air first; CPR or other measures follow once the victim is clear of the source.
Which error in judgment most commonly leads to grounding on a charted shoal?
Answer: Overconfidence in GPS accuracy without cross-referencing depth sounder or chart features
Treating GPS as infallible while ignoring depth sounder readings and chart landmarks is the leading human factor in preventable groundings.
What is 'situational awareness' in the context of sailing risk management?
Answer: Continuously monitoring the environment, vessel status, and traffic to anticipate hazards
Situational awareness is the ongoing process of sensing, understanding, and projecting what is happening around the vessel to stay ahead of problems.
A halyard wraps around a crewmember's leg while hoisting a sail. What is the correct immediate response?
Answer: Stop hoisting immediately and ease the line to free the entanglement safely
Stopping all line movement and easing tension is the only safe way to free a line entanglement without injuring the crew member.
When does an ASA-trained sailor have a legal obligation to render assistance to a vessel in distress?
Answer: Whenever it is possible to do so without serious danger to their own vessel or crew
US law and maritime tradition require rendering assistance when you can safely do so, regardless of whether you have been formally directed to.
What is the risk of using a handheld VHF radio as the sole communication device on an offshore passage?
Answer: Limited battery life and reduced transmission range compared to a fixed-mount unit may leave you without communications when most needed
Handheld VHF batteries deplete quickly and their lower wattage limits range to 5-6 miles versus 25 watts for fixed-mount units.
Which practice best mitigates collision risk when sailing at night in coastal waters?
Answer: Posting a dedicated watch, using radar or AIS if available, and dimming interior lights to preserve night vision
A dedicated lookout with preserved night vision, combined with electronic aids, addresses the main factors that make collision risk higher at night.