Managing an Incident

What does DRSABC stand for in emergency response?

• ADanger, Response, Sensitivity, Ability, Breathing, Care
• BDanger, Response, Scene safety, Alert, Bind, Call
• CDanger, Rescue, Stabilise, Assess, Breathe, Check
• DDanger, Response, Send for help, Airway, Breathing, Circulation✓

Answer: DRSABC is the primary survey approach: Danger (check for hazards), Response (check consciousness), Send for help (call 999), Airway, Breathing, Circulation.

What is the first action you should take when approaching a casualty?

• ACall for an ambulance and give the full details before you check the casualty or look at the scene
• BCheck the scene is safe and there is no danger to you✓
• CMove the casualty immediately
• DGive the casualty water to drink

Answer: The first step is to ensure your own safety and that the scene is safe. Never put yourself at risk; you cannot help the casualty if you become a casualty.

How should you check if an unconscious person is responsive?

• AAssume they are unconscious, call 999 and wait without trying to rouse them at all
• BPinch the casualty's skin hard and keep pinching until they show some reaction
• CShake them gently and shout 'Are you alright?'✓
• DWait a few minutes to see whether they come round on their own before doing anything

Answer: Gently shake the person's shoulders and shout in their ear to check for response. This assesses their level of consciousness safely.

When should you call 999 in a medical emergency?

• AOnly after thirty minutes have passed and the casualty has not started to improve
• BOnly if the casualty is unconscious and cannot be roused by shouting or shaking
• CThe works first aider deals with everything on site, so 999 is not called for workplace incidents
• DImmediately if the casualty has serious injury or illness✓

Answer: Call 999 immediately for serious injuries, chest pain, difficulty breathing, unconsciousness, or any life-threatening condition.

What information should you provide to the emergency dispatcher?

• AYour name only
• BYour phone number only
• CThe location, nature of injury/illness, number of casualties, and any hazards✓
• DOnly the postcode

Answer: Provide the dispatcher with the location (specific address/postcode), what happened, number of casualties, their condition, and any hazards (e.g., chemical spill).

What is the purpose of the recovery position?

• ATo keep the airway open and allow fluids to drain from the mouth✓
• BTo make the casualty more comfortable while they wait, which is its only purpose
• CTo prevent the casualty from moving
• DTo speed up recovery from unconsciousness by increasing the flow of blood back to the brain

Answer: The recovery position keeps an unconscious casualty's airway open, prevents choking if they vomit, and allows drainage of fluids from the mouth.

What should you do if a casualty is bleeding heavily?

• AApply direct pressure with clean material and elevate the limb✓
• BApply a tourniquet immediately, before trying direct pressure on the wound
• CWash the wound thoroughly under a running tap to remove any dirt before covering it
• DLeave them where they are until the paramedics arrive so that the wound is not disturbed

Answer: Apply direct pressure with clean material and elevate the limb (if possible) to control heavy bleeding. Only use a tourniquet for life-threatening limb bleeding.

What is triage?

• AA medical treatment given to casualties before the ambulance service arrives on scene
• BThe process of assessing and prioritising casualties by severity✓
• CA type of bandage
• DA method of calling an ambulance using a priority code given to the 999 operator

Answer: Triage is the rapid assessment of multiple casualties to determine the order of treatment based on injury severity and likelihood of survival.

In a multi-casualty incident, which casualty should be treated first?

• AThe one who is shouting the loudest
• BThe one who arrived first
• CThe one closest to the first aider
• DThe one with the most life-threatening condition✓

Answer: In triage, casualties with life-threatening conditions (e.g., severe breathing difficulty, severe bleeding) are treated first, even if others appear more distressed.

What should you do if a casualty becomes violent or aggressive?

• AIgnore the behaviour, hold the casualty still and carry on with treatment regardless of the risk to yourself
• BLeave the area immediately and call for assistance
• CRestrain them physically until they calm down enough to accept treatment
• DTry to calm them; if unsafe, step back and call for help✓

Answer: Your safety is paramount. If a casualty becomes aggressive, move away, alert others, and call for professional help (police/paramedics). Never risk your safety.

How should you move a casualty with a suspected spinal injury?

• AAvoid movement unless there is immediate danger✓
• BMove them as quickly as possible to a safer place, dragging them by the arms
• CMove them only if they ask you to and say that they are comfortable doing so
• DMove them with support for the neck and spine

Answer: Avoid moving a casualty with suspected spinal injury unless they are in immediate danger. Unnecessary movement can cause further damage.

What should you do while waiting for the ambulance to arrive?

• AAsk them detailed questions about how the incident happened so you can complete the report
• BGive them small sips of water and a biscuit so that their blood sugar does not fall
• CLeave the casualty alone in a quiet room to reduce disturbance and check back every ten minutes
• DContinuously reassess the casualty and keep them warm and reassured✓

Answer: While waiting for the ambulance, reassess the casualty's condition regularly, keep them warm with a blanket, reassure them, and monitor their breathing and consciousness.

What information should be handed over to the paramedics?

• AYour personal contact details
• BWhat you observed, what treatment you gave, when 999 was called, and any relevant medical history✓
• COnly the casualty's name
• DThe accident location only

Answer: Provide paramedics with a clear handover of what happened, observations made, first aid given, timeline of events, and any known medical conditions or allergies.

What should you do if you encounter hazardous materials at an incident?

• ADo not enter the area; call 999 and warn others to stay away✓
• BTry to clean up or contain the spill yourself before treating anyone who has been exposed
• CIgnore it and focus on the casualty
• DAttempt to remove or seal the materials yourself using whatever is to hand

Answer: Do not expose yourself to hazardous materials. Keep away from the area, call 999, and warn others. The emergency services have the proper equipment and training.

How should you position a conscious casualty who is experiencing chest pain?

• ALay them completely flat on their back with both legs raised up onto a chair or a box
• BSit them down in a comfortable position, preferably with support for their back✓
• CMake them walk around the workplace to keep the circulation active until help comes
• DStand them upright against a wall with their arms raised above their head to open the chest

Answer: A casualty with chest pain should be sat down in a comfortable position with back support to reduce strain on the heart and ease breathing.

What is the correct action if a casualty refuses treatment?

• AForce treatment on them anyway, because a first aider has a legal power to override a refusal
• BInform their line manager and take no further action of any kind yourself
• CRespect their wishes but explain the risks and offer to call 999✓
• DLeave them without contacting anyone

Answer: Respect a casualty's right to refuse treatment, but explain the potential risks and always offer to call 999 if needed. Document the refusal if possible.

In what situation should you place a casualty in the recovery position?

• AIf they are unconscious but breathing✓
• BOnly if they have a head injury
• CIf they are in cardiac arrest
• DIf they are conscious and alert

Answer: The recovery position is used for unconscious casualties who are breathing. This keeps the airway open and clear.

What should you do if a casualty is choking and cannot cough or speak?

• AWait for them to dislodge the object themselves and only step in once they lose consciousness
• BCall 999 and do nothing until they arrive
• CGive them water to drink
• DPerform back blows and abdominal thrusts alternately until the object is expelled✓

Answer: For a choking adult who cannot cough or speak, perform 5 back blows between the shoulder blades, then 5 abdominal thrusts. Repeat until the object is expelled.

How should you log an incident at work?

• AOnly log those incidents that result in a hospital visit or more than seven days off work
• BA written log can be omitted provided the casualty returns to their normal duties the same day
• CLog the incident in a personal diary so that you have your own record of what happened
• DInform the person in charge, complete accident report forms, and record details✓

Answer: All incidents should be reported to management and documented using the workplace accident report form. This is required for HSE reporting under RIDDOR.

What is the primary aim of first aid in an emergency?

• ATo cure the injury or illness completely before the casualty leaves the premises
• BTo diagnose the problem
• CTo avoid the need to call an ambulance by treating the casualty fully at the workplace
• DTo prevent the condition from becoming worse and to preserve life✓

Answer: The primary aims of first aid are to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening, and promote recovery by providing appropriate care until professional help arrives.