Which statement best describes permissible methods for placing charges during avalanche control work?

• A. Hand placed, hand thrown, or projected with some type of launching device
• B. Burying in snow
• C. Tossing from a helicopter
• D. Using a rubber ball

Answer: (A)

Safety and precision in how charges are placed during avalanche control work are what this item tests. The best method is to place charges by hand, throw them by hand, or project them with a launching device. These options let the crew reach the exact spot on the slope from a safe position and deliver the charge with controlled timing and placement, which is essential for a predictable and safe blast.

Burying a charge in snow would hide it and complicate retrieval and detonation, making the operation unreliable and hazardous. Tossing a charge from a helicopter introduces dangerous rotor wash and wind effects, making placement inaccurate and increasing the risk to people and equipment. Using a rubber ball has no practical role in delivering a real explosive; it cannot provide the necessary reliability or placement control.