Chapter 5 – Incidents, Accidents & Emergencies

First Aid

To stop bleeding without the aid of a bandage apply pressure to the wound and, if possible, raise it.

Raising the limb helps to reduce blood flow.

If an accident victim has a burn, you should try and cool it, with clean, cool, non-toxic liquid, for at least 10 minutes. If anything is stuck to the burn do not remove it.

You find an unconscious casualty. You should check their breathing for at least 10 seconds. Do this by placing your cheek over their mouth and nose (to feel for breath) and then looking to see if the chest rises.

If the casualty is breathing you should still check that their airway is clear.

If the casualty is not breathing then you should start the process to restore breathing by clearing their airway, pinch their nostrils together and tilt their head back gently.

If a casualty isn’t breathing, then chest compression should be given at a rate of 120 per minute. The correct depth to press is 5-6 centimetres.

When giving mouth to mouth resuscitation to a child you must breathe into their mouth gently.

An unconscious motorcyclist must only be moved if necessary, as moving them could worsen any injuries. Do not remove their helmet. Seek medical assistance straight away.

Any casualty with suspected back injuries should not be moved.

If an injured person is lying on the road warn other traffic.

You should never move the casualty unless they are in further danger.

At any crash, if you find an unconscious casualty your priority is to check their breathing. You must then:

1. 1. Check circulation
   2. Check if the airway is clear. If it isn’t, and you can hear snoring or gurgling noises, remove any obvious obstruction. Only tilt the head back gently as the last resort if the patient is unable to breathe. Ensure professional help is on the way.
   3. Stop any heavy bleeding
   4. Warn other traffic

If someone is injured or in shock,

1. Try and keep people warm and comfortable
2. Calm by reassuring them
3. Do not leave them alone
4. Do not offer them a cigarette
5. Do not give them a drink
6. Avoid moving them if possible (IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DANGER)

A person suffering from the shock will have pale grey skin, sweating, rapid pulse, and rapid shallow breathing.

Accident Scenes

If you arrive at an accident scene

1. Make sure all engines are switched off.
2. Call emergency services.
3. Don’t put yourself at risk.
4. Switch on your hazard warning lights.
5. Get people who are not injured away from the scene (this is your priority)
6. Make sure that injured people are not left alone
7. Injured people are warm and comfortable
8. Keep injured people calm by reassuring them.

If you are in a collision that causes damage or injury to any other person, vehicle, animal or property then you must stop and give the following details to anyone who has reasonable grounds for requiring them.

1. Your name
2. The vehicle owner’s name and address
3. The vehicle’s make and registration
4. Insurance details

If you have a collision also make sure you get the information about the other person such as:

1. Drivers name, address and telephone number
2. Whether the driver of the vehicle owns it
3. If the driver is insured to drive the vehicle

If you are in collision police may ask you to produce:

1. MOT test certificate
2. Insurance Certificate
3. Driving license

If you cause damage to property and the property owner is not available, then you must inform the police within 24 hours.

Long Tunnels

1. When driving through long tunnels variable message signs will warn you of congestion or an incident ahead.
2. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. If the vehicle in front stops or breakdown you may need to manoeuvre passed it.
3. If you breakdown uses your hazard lights and calls for help.
4. Tune your radio to the frequency shown.
5. If your vehicle catches fire continue through the tunnel if you can. If you can’t then switch on the hazard warning light and try and put the fire out.
6. In many tunnels, it is a legal requirement to use dipped headlights when driving.

Level Crossings

If you breakdown on a level crossing, even if the lights have not begun to flash:

1. Leave your vehicle and get yourself and any passengers away from the crossing
2. Phone the signal operator
3. Move the vehicle if a signal operator tells you to

Motorways

If you get a puncture or your Tyre burst on a motorway:

1. pull up on the hard shoulder and use the emergency phone to call for help
2. Hold the steering wheel firmly to keep control.
3. Let the car roll to stop or brake firmly and carefully

Use your hazard lights to warn other drivers if you have to slow down quickly due to a hazard ahead or if your breakdown and can’t reach the hard shoulder.

A large box falls from a lorry. The lorry doesn’t stop. You should pull onto the hard shoulder near an emergency telephone and report it.

When using an emergency telephone, you will be asked:

1. The number on the telephone
2. Details of yourself and your vehicle
3. Are you a member of a motoring organization?

Other Facts to know

If your engine catches fire you should pull up as safely and as quickly as you can and call the fire brigade. Do not open the bonnet.

While driving a dashboard warning light comes on, you should check out the problem quickly and safely.

If your breakdown and have a warning triangle, place it at least 45m behind your vehicle.

If you see a car on the hard shoulder with a HELP pennant displayed, it means the driver is most likely to be disabled.

It is good to carry a fire extinguisher, first aid box, warning triangle in your car in case of collision or fire.

There are two main safeguards against fire risk to your vehicle firstly carry a fire extinguisher and check out any strong smell of petrol.