Accidents, Emergencies, First Aid and Breakdowns
At an accident, the priorities are protect, alert, assist. Protect the scene: hazard lights, warning triangle placed at a safe distance, reflective vest on before leaving the vehicle. Alert the emergency services with a clear location, number of casualties and hazards. Assist within your competence, and do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger such as fire.
First aid essentials: check consciousness and breathing; if not breathing normally, start chest compressions at a steady rate and use an AED if available. Control bleeding with direct pressure. Keep casualties warm and reassure them. Do not give food or drink. For a motorcyclist, do not remove the helmet unless breathing is obstructed.
Breakdowns and emergencies: a fire means stop, evacuate passengers upwind and away, and call the services. A tyre blowout means hold the wheel firmly and decelerate gently. If the vehicle fails on a motorway, get passengers behind the barrier and away from the carriageway.
Traps. Questions test whether you move an injured person (only for immediate danger) and the correct triangle distance. Another trap is the order: protect before assisting, because a secondary collision injures rescuers.
Rule of thumb: "protect, alert, assist, in that order." Worked example: a bus breaks down on the hard shoulder. You switch on hazard lights, put on the vest, lead passengers behind the barrier and up the embankment, place the triangle, then call for recovery.