Accidents, Emergencies and First Aid Awareness
At the scene
Stop, switch off your engine, switch on hazard lights and make the scene safe before helping. Do not smoke. Place a warning triangle or other signal behind the vehicles if it is safe to do so. Call the emergency services on 119 for police, fire or ambulance. Give the location, number of casualties and any fire or fuel hazard.
First aid essentials
Follow the DRABC sequence: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation. Do not move an injured person unless there is fire, traffic or another immediate danger. Control bleeding with firm direct pressure. Do not give food or drink to a casualty. If an unconscious person is breathing, place them in the recovery position and keep checking. If they are not breathing, start chest compressions and continue until help arrives.
Reporting and details
You must stop after any collision and exchange names, addresses, registration numbers and insurance details. Report collisions involving injury or death to the police without delay. Never leave the scene of an injury collision.
Breakdowns and fires
Pull as far off the carriageway as you can, use hazards and a triangle, and stand away from traffic. If the vehicle catches fire, get everyone out and well away, and do not open the bonnet fully.
Worked example
A motorcyclist is down on a wet road and not moving. You stop, hazard lights on, and ask a bystander to place a warning triangle and call 119. The rider is breathing but unconscious, so you do not remove the helmet unless the airway is obstructed. You keep the head steady, monitor breathing and wait for the ambulance.
Traps that cost marks
- Moving a casualty who might have a spinal injury.
- Giving water to an injured person.
- Leaving the scene or failing to report a collision.
- Standing between a broken-down vehicle and moving traffic.