Case Analysis & Practical Application Flashcards

A group plans a backcountry ski tour. The forecast shows High (4) danger on north aspects above 2,500 m and Considerable (3) on all other aspects. Their intended route tops out at 2,600 m on a northeast aspect. What should they do?

Answer: Modify the route to stay below 2,500 m or choose a non-north-aspect objective

High danger on the specific aspect and elevation of their route warrants rerouting or objective change, not incremental mitigation like one-at-a-time travel.

During a beacon search, you receive a signal that suddenly disappears as you move forward. What is the most likely cause?

Answer: You have passed the flux line null zone — move perpendicular to re-acquire the signal

Beacon signals follow elliptical flux lines, and moving past a null zone can cause signal loss — stepping sideways re-enters the signal field.

A skier triggered a slab that ran 300 m. The debris is 2 m deep at the toe. Rescuers have three beacons. What should the initial search method be?

Answer: Hasty search: rescuers run beacon antennas along the debris surface in a coarse sweep

A coarse, fast beacon sweep (hasty search) covers the debris quickly to identify signal locations before committing to slower fine-search techniques.

You observe shooting cracks propagating from your skis as you enter a slope. What does this indicate and what should you do?

Answer: High instability — a slab is highly reactive; immediately move off the slope to safe terrain

Shooting cracks are one of the most reliable field signs of high instability, indicating a buried weak layer capable of widespread fracture propagation.

A rescue scenario involves a victim buried 2.8 m deep. The shoveling team is tiring quickly. What is the most effective shoveling strategy to reach the victim faster?

Answer: Use the V-conveyor (strategic shoveling) method with multiple shovelers rotating positions

The V-conveyor (or assembly-line) method assigns shovelers to specific zones to move snow efficiently, dramatically reducing extraction time compared to single-point digging.

Wet avalanche activity is observed on sun-exposed slopes at 10 AM in late March. What does this indicate about afternoon travel plans on similar terrain?

Answer: Wet avalanche activity will likely increase through the afternoon as solar heating continues

Wet avalanche activity in the morning signals a diurnal cycle that typically worsens through the afternoon as solar radiation saturates the snowpack.

A companion is fully buried and has been located by beacon and probe. The snow is heavily consolidated debris. What injury risk must the shoveling team be aware of?

Answer: Risk of striking the victim with a shovel, especially near the head and torso

Shovel strikes are a real risk during extraction; shovelers should use careful technique near the probe strike location to avoid injuring the buried victim.