Ready to Roll
These six words describe how every Project Venture vehicle should be left for the next team.
What is SAFE, CLEAN, FUELED, DOCUMENTED, EQUIPPED, READY? That is the SOP's core operating principle.
Every person in a moving PV vehicle must use one of these.
What is an appropriate seatbelt or required child restraint?
You need to enter a new destination into GPS while driving and another staff member cannot do it. What should you do?
What is safely pull over before using the device?
Handheld phone use, texting, reading messages and programming navigation while moving are prohibited.
True or false: A PV program trip is finished when the van pulls into the parking lot.
What is FALSE?
The SOP explicitly states that the trip isn't complete simply because the vehicle has returned.
You notice trash, empty bottles and muddy floors from yesterday's program. The vehicle is otherwise safe. GO, CORRECT or NO-GO?
What is CORRECT BEFORE DEPARTURE?
Before a program trip, your vehicle is at half a tank. Nothing is mechanically wrong with it. Under the PV readiness system, this is most likely this type of situation.
What is CORRECT BEFORE DEPARTURE? Low fuel is specifically identified as an example of something that should be corrected before departure rather than automatically making the vehicle unsafe to operate.
Fill in the blank: Youth participants may ______ be left unattended in a Project Venture vehicle.
What is NEVER?
When backing a large PV vehicle in a tight campsite and another staff member is available, this person should help the driver.
Who is a spotter?
What is the recommended minimum fuel level when returning a program vehicle?
What is 3/4 of a tank or greater?
Preferably full when operationally practical.
Your climbing equipment is loaded into the back of the van but can slide around when the vehicle turns. GO, CORRECT or NO-GO?
What is CORRECT BEFORE DEPARTURE — secure the cargo?
If required cargo cannot be secured, however, it becomes NO-GO. Equipment cannot become a projectile, block exits or shift dangerously.
During the 360-degree walk-around, name four things you should inspect.
What are tires/wheels, body/glass/mirrors, fluid leaks, lights, visibility, and the vehicle's travel path?
Everyone gets back into the van after a lunch stop. You look around and think everyone is there. What must happen before the vehicle moves?
What is conduct a fresh physical headcount and compare it with the expected roster, then recheck restraints, doors and cargo?
While backing, you can no longer see your spotter. What's your next move?
What is STOP immediately?
The SOP specifically says to keep the spotter visible and stop immediately when visual contact is lost.
After youth exit the vehicle, a staff member must physically walk every row and inspect the rear/cargo area. What is this called?
What is the mandatory clearing sweep?
Staff check specifically for participants—including a sleeping participant—as well as belongings, medications, confidential materials and hazards.
You're backing the van at camp. You have a backup camera, so you decide you don't need to walk around first or use the available spotter. What's wrong with this decision?
What is a camera supplements but does not replace direct checks?
The SOP calls for a walk-around whenever practical and use of an available spotter for large vehicles, trailers, campsites, activity areas and tight spaces.
You prepared the vehicle yesterday afternoon for tomorrow's outing. It hasn't been driven since. True or false: You may skip today's inspection.
What is FALSE? A final inspection is still required on the day of travel even when the vehicle was prepared the previous day.
A van has 12 seats but only 11 functioning seatbelts. How many people can ride in it?
What is no more than 11?
Occupancy may never exceed either approved seating capacity or the number of functioning restraints.
You're halfway to a program site when heavy rain begins. Water is now flowing across a familiar low-water crossing. Another vehicle successfully crosses. What should you do?
What is turn around and use another route?
PV drivers must never drive through a flooded roadway, low-water crossing, arroyo or wash. The SOP specifically says another vehicle successfully crossing should not influence the decision.
It's extremely late after a multiday program. Staff fatigue makes routine cleaning a safety concern. Can you lock the van and simply deal with everything tomorrow?
What is NO?
The late-return exception still requires participants to be cleared and food, medication, confidential materials, valuables and hazardous trash removed; safety/damage concerns reported; and the vehicle secured. Remaining routine cleaning can then be completed according to the exception procedure.
Your team is 15 minutes late. The driver says they are exhausted and don't feel capable of safely completing the remaining drive. Another staff member says, "We're almost there—just push through." Who is following PV policy?
Who is the driver?
A driver should not operate when fatigue or another condition materially compromises safe operation, and drivers may request another driver or stop transportation when safety requires it.
You find significantly underinflated tires during the morning inspection. Another PV vehicle is available, so you switch vehicles and leave. What important step did you miss?
What is reporting the unsafe vehicle and ensuring it is removed from service as appropriate? Using another vehicle doesn't eliminate the responsibility to report the NO-GO condition.
You're ready to leave a trailhead. Everyone says, "We're all here!" One staff member recognizes all the youth and agrees. Why can't the driver leave yet?
What is because a physical headcount must be conducted and reconciled with the roster?
Participant loading requires a physical headcount, and every stop requires a fresh one.
You're behind schedule. Conditions aren't technically closed, but visibility has deteriorated enough that you can't maintain an adequate safety margin. The program starts in 20 minutes. Who has authority to stop the trip?
Who is the driver?
The driver has continuing authority and responsibility to delay, reroute, stop or cancel transportation when conditions become unsafe. Schedule and convenience do not override safety.
Put these return actions in order:
FUEL — SWEEP — DOCUMENT — ACCOUNT FOR YOUTH — CLEAN — SECURE — INSPECT — UNLOAD
ACCOUNT FOR YOUTH → SWEEP → UNLOAD → CLEAN → INSPECT → REFUEL → DOCUMENT → SECURE?
You return from programming and discover a new dent. The vehicle drives normally. Nobody knows exactly when it happened, and someone says, "Don't worry about it—we'll mention it if someone asks." Name three things wrong with that response.
What are: photograph the damage, promptly notify the supervisor/fleet coordinator, document what is known and when it may have occurred, and complete any required vehicle-damage/incident report?
Accept any three. The SOP explicitly states: do not conceal, minimize or delay reporting.