When obtaining a deviation for reducing SDZ, what must make the smaller area safe?

The correct answer focuses on the need for certain conditions to ensure safety when obtaining a deviation for reducing the Surface Danger Zone (SDZ). In this context, the term "compensating factors" refers to measures or characteristics that can mitigate risks associated with a smaller area.

Terrain considerations are critical as they influence how projectiles may behave when fired and where they might land. If the terrain has features such as hills, natural backstops, or obstacles that can prevent unintended projectile movement, it can contribute to safety.

Artificial barriers play a significant role as well; these could include walls, berms, or barriers constructed specifically to contain or redirect the effects of live fire adjacent to the range, which helps ensure that any missed rounds or fragments do not pose a risk to personnel or the public in the reduced area.

In conjunction with these, balancing the risk with various compensating factors is essential. This can include measures such as enhanced supervision, specific firing protocols, or restricted access to the area during operations, which can further ensure that safety is maintained as the SDZ is altered.

By ensuring that all these elements—terrain, artificial barriers, and compensating factors—are accounted for, the smaller area can be deemed safe for operations. It emphasizes the