First aid and incident management
What the exam tests
This domain tests scene safety, alerting emergency services, basic life support and protecting the incident scene without making injuries worse.
Core rules
- Protect yourself first: switch off the engine, apply the parking brake, switch on hazard lights and put on a reflective vest before leaving the cab.
- Place a warning triangle behind the vehicle, at least about 50 m on ordinary roads and farther where visibility is poor or speeds are high.
- Call 112, give the location, number of casualties, hazards and your callback number.
- Do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger such as fire or traffic.
- Check breathing. If the casualty is not breathing normally, start CPR: 30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths, compressions at 100–120 per minute.
- Control severe bleeding with direct pressure; keep the casualty warm and monitor breathing until help arrives.
Worked example
A motorcyclist is unconscious after a collision. The truck driver stops safely, warns traffic, calls 112 and checks breathing. The helmet is not removed because there is no airway obstruction and no immediate danger; removing it could worsen a neck injury.
Traps that cost marks
Moving a casualty to make the road clear; giving food or drink; leaving the scene to find help instead of calling; forgetting the warning triangle.
Key points
- Scene safety before first aid.
- Call 112 with clear location details.
- Do not move casualties unless in danger.
- No breathing: CPR 30:2.
- Direct pressure for severe bleeding.