Incidents, Emergencies and First Aid
This domain covers what to do at the scene of a collision and how to respond to vehicle emergencies. Learn the priorities at an incident: protect the scene and prevent further collisions (hazard lights, warning triangle where safe and legal, high-visibility clothing), check for casualties, call the emergency services with accurate location and casualty information, and give first aid within your competence until help arrives. Know the DRABC approach - danger, response, airway, breathing, circulation - and the recovery position for an unconscious but breathing casualty.
Understand how to control severe bleeding with direct pressure, how to treat burns and shock, and why you should not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger such as fire. Know the legal duty to stop, exchange details and report a collision to the Gardaí when required, and the rules on leaving the scene.
Vehicle emergencies tested include brake failure, tyre blowouts, fire, and a vehicle stranded on a level crossing. For a blowout, hold the wheel firmly and ease off the accelerator rather than braking hard. For a fire, stop, switch off, get everyone out and move well away before calling the services. On a level crossing, get everyone out and clear, then use the railway phone.
Traps: assuming you must always move casualties, forgetting the duty to report, and using a warning triangle where it would put you in danger, such as on a motorway.
Worked example: After a collision with an unconscious but breathing casualty, you place them in the recovery position, control any bleeding and call the emergency services, giving the road number, direction and landmarks.
Rule of thumb: protect, then check, then call, then treat - in that order.