First Aid at the Scene of an Accident: What You Need to Know
The DVSA expects every driver to know basic first aid. Here are the priorities, the acronyms and the specific answers that come up on the test.
Around 3 to 5 questions on every theory test cover accidents and first aid. Learners often get these wrong because it's not something driving lessons cover in depth. It's worth spending an hour on this category alone.
The first priority: warn other traffic
Before you help anyone, make sure you're not about to cause a second accident. Switch on hazard warning lights, use a warning triangle (at least 45 metres behind, but never on a motorway), and get uninjured people well away from the road.
Call the emergency services
Dial 999. Give the location — motorway marker post number if you have one — and the number and severity of casualties. Don't hang up until told to.
DR ABC
- Danger — check the scene is safe before approaching.
- Response — talk to the casualty. Do they answer? Squeeze their shoulders gently.
- Airway — tilt the head back gently to open the airway.
- Breathing — look, listen and feel for up to 10 seconds.
- Circulation / Compressions — if not breathing normally, start chest compressions.
Chest compressions
Push down hard in the centre of the chest, about 5–6 cm deep, at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute. Continue until help arrives or the casualty starts breathing normally.
Bleeding
Apply firm pressure over the wound with anything clean — a cloth, a shirt, your hand in a glove. If the bleed is on a limb and there's no suspected fracture, raise the limb above the level of the heart.
Burns
Cool the burn with clean, cool water for at least 10 minutes. Do not remove clothing that is stuck to the burn. Do not apply creams, oils or ice.
Shock
Cold, clammy skin, rapid breathing, pale face. Reassure them, keep them warm with a blanket or coat, don't give food or drink. Lie them down if you can.
Motorcyclist helmets
Do NOT remove a crash helmet unless it is absolutely essential to keep them alive — for example, they are not breathing. Removing a helmet incorrectly can cause fatal spinal injury.