Fire Safety and First Aid
This domain tests fire prevention and suppression on a passenger vehicle, and the first aid that buys time before help arrives.
Fire classes and extinguishers
- Class A - solids such as paper, cloth, seat foam. Water or foam.
- Class B - flammable liquids such as diesel or petrol. Foam, dry powder, CO2.
- Class C - flammable gases. Dry powder; isolate the supply.
- Class E - electrical. CO2 or dry powder only, never water.
Using an extinguisher (PASS)
Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep from side to side. Stand with your back to the wind and keep an exit behind you.
Engine or vehicle fire
Stop immediately, switch off the engine, evacuate all passengers to a point upwind and at least 30 metres away, and call the fire service. Open the engine cover only slightly - a fully opened bonnet feeds oxygen to the fire. Never use water on a fuel or electrical fire. Water on burning fuel spreads it.
First aid essentials
- Bleeding: direct pressure with a clean cloth, elevate if possible.
- Burns: cool with clean running water for about 20 minutes; do not apply ice, oil, toothpaste or butter; do not burst blisters.
- Fracture: immobilise in the position found, do not attempt to straighten.
- Unconscious but breathing: recovery position, monitor the airway.
- Never give food or drink to an unconscious or semi-conscious person.
- CPR: 30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths, compressions 5–6 cm deep, 100–120 per minute.
Worked example
A small fire starts at the dashboard. Reasoning: CO2 or dry powder, aimed at the base, engine off, passengers evacuated upwind first. Water is wrong because the fire is electrical.
Traps that cost marks
Opening the bonnet fully; using water on a fuel fire; and applying oil or ice to a burn.