Accident prevention, first aid, vehicle fire and emergency procedures
This domain is about the first five minutes: protecting the scene, calling the right number, keeping casualties alive and dealing with fire without becoming a second casualty. Answers are judged on order of actions.
Securing the scene
Stop safely beyond the hazard, switch on the hazard lights, put on the high-visibility vest before leaving the cab, and place the warning triangle at least 50 m before the scene - roughly 100 m on motorways and fast roads. Switch off the ignition and take the key. Keep other traffic away and never turn your back on moving traffic.
Alerting
Emergency numbers in Switzerland: 144 ambulance, 117 police, 118 fire brigade, 112 from a mobile phone. Report location, number and type of casualties, hazards (fuel, dangerous goods, live cables) and your name. Note the orange plates if a dangerous-goods vehicle is involved and pass the numbers on.
First aid
Follow DRABC: danger, response, airway, breathing, circulation. Unresponsive but breathing: recovery position and monitor. Not breathing: CPR at 30 compressions to 2 breaths, 100–120 per minute, depth 5–6 cm, and use an AED as soon as it arrives. Stop severe bleeding with direct pressure. Do not move casualties unless there is fire or another immediate danger.
Vehicle fire
Fuel and electrical fires are class B/C: use powder or CO2, never a water jet. Switch off the engine, cut the battery master switch if you can reach it safely, evacuate people upwind and keep 100 m clear. Tyre fires reignite: cool from a distance and stay back. If the fire reaches the load or a fuel tank, withdraw and let the fire brigade work.
Worked example
While driving, you smell burning and see smoke from the engine compartment. Correct sequence: stop clear of buildings and traffic, hazard lights, engine off, master switch off, everyone out and upwind, call 118, then attack only a small fire with the extinguisher through a partly opened bonnet - never fully open it, because the rush of air feeds the fire.
Traps
Leaving the warning triangle in the boot of a truck standing in a live lane; opening the bonnet fully; using water on burning fuel; moving an injured motorcyclist without need; forgetting to mention dangerous goods when calling.