One of the 10 Commandments for avalanche safety advises you to carry the right equipment and know how to use it. Which option matches this commandment?

• A. Start small and work your way up
• B. Carry the right equipment and know how to use it
• C. Cross high on the avi path
• D. Never go first

Answer: (B)

Having the right avalanche safety gear and knowing how to use it is the core idea being tested here. This option aligns with the principle of preparedness in avalanche terrain: you must not only carry the essential equipment—a beacon to locate a buried person, a probe to pinpoint the exact location, and a shovel to dig them out—but also know how to operate it under pressure. Practically, that means being able to run a beacon search, switch to a precise signal, perform an accurate probe, and dig efficiently—all after a trigger event. Gear without skills is of limited value, and skills without the right gear can fail at the critical moment.

The other choices don’t capture this combination. Starting small and building up describes gradual training, not specifically having and using the right safety tools. Crossing high on the avalanche path suggests a route choice that increases risk, not equipment readiness. Never going first relates to decision-making and risk, not the equipment-and-skills requirement.