Rescue Techniques & Emergency Response Flashcards
7 cards from real ASC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Rescue Techniques & Emergency Response flashcards as text
What is the 'last seen point' (LSP) and why is it critical in avalanche rescue?
Answer: The location where a buried victim was last observed before being swept away, used as the starting point for search
The LSP is the reference point from which debris trajectory and likely burial zones are calculated, making it the starting point for an organized search.
During a fine search with a beacon, what technique is used to pinpoint the burial location to within 1 meter?
Answer: Slowly moving the beacon close to the snow surface in a tight grid, rotating it to minimize the reading
In fine search mode, the rescuer moves the beacon slowly close to the snow surface in a cross pattern, rotating it to find the orientation that gives the minimum distance reading.
What is 'shoveling in stages' and how does it improve excavation efficiency?
Answer: Rotating multiple diggers who throw snow to the side in a relay system to maintain speed
A relay shoveling system with multiple diggers passing snow rearward in stages maintains the highest sustained excavation rate throughout the dig.
In triage during a mass burial event, which victim category receives priority rescue resources first?
Answer: Victims with the shortest burial time and accessible location — those most likely to survive
Triage prioritizes victims most likely to survive with available resources, typically those with shortest burial time and shallowest depth.
What is the correct procedure if a victim is found with snow packed in their airway upon excavation?
Answer: Gently clear snow from the mouth and nose manually before assessing breathing
Snow should be manually cleared from the mouth and nose before airway assessment and rescue breathing attempts can be effective.
What is the role of the 'team leader' during an organized beacon search with multiple rescuers?
Answer: The team leader coordinates assignments, monitors secondary hazard, and prevents duplication of effort
The team leader's role is coordination — assigning tasks, monitoring for secondary hazards, tracking progress, and communicating with outside resources.
Which field sign most reliably indicates the likely burial zone within avalanche debris?
Answer: Clues deposited on the surface such as equipment, gloves, poles, or clothing along the debris path
Surface clues like equipment and clothing mark where the victim was tumbled through the debris and indicate the probable burial zone beneath.