CDE CDE Emergency Procedures & First Aid 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of placing flares or reflective triangles around a crash scene?
- To mark where vehicles should park
- To warn approaching drivers and prevent secondary collisions (Correct answer)
- To indicate the fault of each driver involved
- To help tow trucks locate the disabled vehicle
Correct answer: To warn approaching drivers and prevent secondary collisions
Warning devices alert oncoming traffic so that additional crashes do not occur at an already hazardous scene.
Question 2: A driver's brakes suddenly fail while driving downhill. What is the best immediate action?
- Downshift to a lower gear and look for a runaway-truck ramp or soft terrain (Correct answer)
- Turn off the ignition to stop the engine
- Open the car door and prepare to jump out
- Steer directly into the guardrail at full speed
Correct answer: Downshift to a lower gear and look for a runaway-truck ramp or soft terrain
Downshifting uses engine braking to slow the vehicle, and runaway-truck ramps or soft shoulders provide a safe deceleration area.
Question 3: What should a driver do if the accelerator pedal becomes stuck?
- Pump the brake pedal rapidly and steer toward open space
- Shift to neutral, apply steady brake pressure, and pull safely off the road (Correct answer)
- Turn the steering wheel sharply to slow the vehicle
- Immediately shut off the ignition and leave the car in gear
Correct answer: Shift to neutral, apply steady brake pressure, and pull safely off the road
Shifting to neutral cuts engine power while maintaining steering and braking control until you can safely stop.
Question 4: At a crash scene with multiple casualties, which victim should bystanders prioritize for first aid?
- The person making the most noise
- Those with minor cuts who are walking around
- Those who are silent and not breathing or have severe bleeding (Correct answer)
- The driver of the vehicle deemed at fault
Correct answer: Those who are silent and not breathing or have severe bleeding
Silent victims who are not breathing or have uncontrolled bleeding face the greatest immediate threat to life and require priority attention.
Question 5: What is the recommended rate for chest compressions when performing hands-only CPR?
- 60–80 compressions per minute
- 100–120 compressions per minute (Correct answer)
- 130–150 compressions per minute
- Any comfortable rhythm works equally well
Correct answer: 100–120 compressions per minute
The American Heart Association recommends 100–120 compressions per minute to effectively circulate blood during cardiac arrest.
Question 6: If a vehicle catches fire after a crash, when should occupants attempt to exit?
- Only after the fire department arrives on scene
- Immediately, before the fire spreads to the fuel tank (Correct answer)
- Only if instructed to do so by emergency services via phone
- After gathering all personal belongings from the vehicle
Correct answer: Immediately, before the fire spreads to the fuel tank
A vehicle fire can spread rapidly to the fuel system, causing an explosion, so immediate evacuation is essential.
CDE CDE Emergency Procedures & First Aid 2
What is the primary purpose of placing flares or reflective triangles around a crash scene?