First Aid, Fire Safety and Emergency Incident Response
This domain tests what you do in the first minutes after a crash or vehicle fire, when your actions may determine whether someone survives. Answers should show a clear sequence: secure the scene, assess, treat within your competence, summon help.
Securing the scene
Stop safely, hazard lights on, handbrake applied. Place a warning triangle well behind the vehicle - further back on fast roads - and wear something reflective if available. Switch off ignitions and do not smoke near spilled fuel. Call 999 or 112 and give an exact location, number of casualties and hazards.
Primary assessment (DRABC)
Danger to yourself and others, Response (talk and gently squeeze the shoulders), Airway (open, clear obvious obstructions), Breathing (look, listen, feel for up to ten seconds), Circulation (severe bleeding, signs of shock).
- Not breathing: start CPR - 30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths, compressions 5–6 cm deep at 100–120 per minute, on a firm surface.
- Breathing but unconscious: recovery position, monitor continuously.
- Severe bleeding: firm direct pressure with a clean dressing; do not remove a soaked dressing, add another on top.
- Burns: cool with clean running water for at least ten minutes; never apply butter, oil or ice.
- Suspected spinal injury: keep the casualty still and do not remove a motorcycle helmet unless the airway is obstructed.
Fire
Get everyone out and upwind, call the fire service, and attack only a small fire with the correct extinguisher - remember PASS: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep. Never use water on fuel or electrical fires.
Worked example
A boda boda rider is unconscious but breathing after a collision. You secure the scene, call 999, check breathing, place him in the recovery position without removing his helmet and monitor until help arrives.
Traps
Giving an unconscious casualty food or drink; moving a suspected spinal casualty unnecessarily; and leaving the scene to fetch help instead of sending someone else.