PCV Emergency Procedures and First Aid on Buses 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passenger has sustained a serious cut and is bleeding heavily. What immediate first aid should be applied?
- Apply a tourniquet above the wound immediately
- Apply firm, direct pressure to the wound using a clean cloth or bandage (Correct answer)
- Clean the wound with water and apply antiseptic cream
- Elevate the limb only, without applying pressure
Correct answer: Apply firm, direct pressure to the wound using a clean cloth or bandage
Firm direct pressure to a bleeding wound is the most effective immediate first aid to control haemorrhage.
To control severe bleeding, apply firm, direct pressure to the wound using the cleanest material available (ideally a sterile dressing from the first aid kit). Maintain pressure continuously — do not remove the dressing to check the wound. If blood soaks through, apply another dressing on top. Elevate the injured limb if possible and call 999 for severe or arterial bleeding.
Question 2: What is the correct position in which to place an unconscious, breathing passenger?
- Flat on their back with legs raised
- Sitting upright supported by another passenger
- Recovery position (on their side) (Correct answer)
- Seated with head tilted forward
Correct answer: Recovery position (on their side)
An unconscious but breathing passenger should be placed in the recovery position to keep the airway open and prevent choking.
The recovery position (lateral recumbent position) keeps an unconscious patient's airway open by allowing fluids to drain from the mouth and preventing the tongue from falling back and blocking the airway. The patient is placed on their side with the upper knee bent forward for stability. Monitor breathing continuously and call 999.
Question 3: How many chest compressions per minute should be given during CPR on an adult?
- 60 per minute
- 80 per minute
- 100–120 per minute (Correct answer)
- 140 per minute
Correct answer: 100–120 per minute
The current Resuscitation Council UK guideline specifies 100–120 chest compressions per minute.
Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) guidelines recommend adult CPR compressions at a rate of 100–120 per minute, depressing the chest by 5–6 cm. The 30:2 ratio (30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths) applies if the responder is trained to give rescue breaths. Compression-only CPR is acceptable and better than no CPR. Continue until an AED is available or professional help arrives.
Question 4: What should a PCV driver do if a passenger complains of chest pain and difficulty breathing?
- Give the passenger a drink of water and monitor them
- Stop safely, call 999, keep the passenger still and comfortable, and loosen tight clothing (Correct answer)
- Continue to the destination and call ahead for an ambulance to be waiting
- Ask the passenger to walk to the front of the bus for fresh air
Correct answer: Stop safely, call 999, keep the passenger still and comfortable, and loosen tight clothing
Potential cardiac symptoms require the driver to stop, call 999, keep the patient still and comfortable, and loosen clothing.
Chest pain and difficulty breathing are classic warning signs of a heart attack or serious cardiac event. Time is critical. The driver must stop the vehicle safely, call 999 immediately, keep the patient seated and still (sitting upright is usually easier for breathing), loosen any tight clothing, and remain calm and reassuring. If an AED is on board and the patient becomes unresponsive, it should be used.
Question 5: What procedure applies if a bus is involved in a collision involving injury to another person?
- The driver must exchange details, render assistance, and report to the police within 24 hours if police were not present (Correct answer)
- The driver may leave the scene if the injury appears minor
- Details only need to be given to the operator, not the other party
- Police must be called within 7 days
Correct answer: The driver must exchange details, render assistance, and report to the police within 24 hours if police were not present
Drivers must stop, give their details to anyone with reasonable grounds to require them, render assistance, and report to the police within 24 hours if police did not attend.
Under Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, after a collision involving injury, the driver must: stop; give name, address, and vehicle registration to any person who has reasonable grounds to require them; produce a certificate of insurance if required; and if these obligations are not fulfilled at the scene, report to a police station or officer within 24 hours.
Question 6: What information should a PCV driver provide to emergency services when reporting an incident on the bus?
- Only the vehicle registration number and current location
- Location, nature of the emergency, number and condition of casualties, and vehicle type (Correct answer)
- Only the number of casualties
- The operator's telephone number and route number
Correct answer: Location, nature of the emergency, number and condition of casualties, and vehicle type
Emergency services need the location, type of emergency, vehicle type, and casualty information to dispatch the right resources.
When calling 999, the driver or caller should give: the exact location (road name, landmarks, GPS if available); the nature of the emergency (fire, medical, collision); the type of vehicle (bus, double-deck, articulated); the number of casualties and their apparent severity; and their own name and callback number. Staying calm and answering the operator's questions improves response time.
PCV Emergency Procedures and First Aid on Buses 2
A passenger has sustained a serious cut and is bleeding heavily.
What immediate first aid should be applied?