PCV Emergency Procedures on Coaches 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a roof hatch on a coach?
- Emergency exit and ventilation — provides an additional evacuation route if the coach is on its side and doors cannot be used (Correct answer)
- Only for ventilation — not a valid emergency exit
- Only for use by the driver to inspect the vehicle
- Fire suppression access point
Correct answer: Emergency exit and ventilation — provides an additional evacuation route if the coach is on its side and doors cannot be used
Roof hatches serve dual purposes: emergency ventilation during normal operation and as emergency exits when a coach is on its side and the normal doors are inaccessible. Passengers and drivers should know how to open them.
Question 2: How many fire extinguishers must a coach carry?
- At least one extinguisher suitable for engine fires, and operators should carry additional units — specific requirements are in DVSA guidance (Correct answer)
- Fire extinguishers are optional on coaches
- At least four — one per emergency exit
- Only one — any type is acceptable
Correct answer: At least one extinguisher suitable for engine fires, and operators should carry additional units — specific requirements are in DVSA guidance
Coaches must carry at least one fire extinguisher for engine fires. Many operators carry additional extinguishers for passenger compartment use. Extinguishers must be maintained, regularly serviced, and accessible without obstructing the aisle.
Question 3: What is the correct procedure if a passenger has a seizure (epileptic fit) on a coach?
- Clear space around them, do not restrain them, cushion their head, call 999, time the seizure, stay with them and note what happened (Correct answer)
- Restrain the passenger to prevent injury
- Put something in their mouth to prevent them biting their tongue
- Immediately administer medication from the first aid kit
Correct answer: Clear space around them, do not restrain them, cushion their head, call 999, time the seizure, stay with them and note what happened
During a seizure: do not restrain, clear space and cushion the head, do not put anything in the mouth, call 999 if it lasts over 5 minutes or if it is a first seizure, time the event, and stay with them until they recover or help arrives.
Question 4: What should a PCV driver do if a passenger on a long-distance coach reports symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
- Stop safely, call 999 or advise the passenger to seek urgent medical attention, and note the details — DVT can lead to pulmonary embolism which is life-threatening (Correct answer)
- Advise the passenger to walk around the coach more often
- Continue to the destination — DVT symptoms are normal on long journeys
- Administer aspirin from the first aid kit
Correct answer: Stop safely, call 999 or advise the passenger to seek urgent medical attention, and note the details — DVT can lead to pulmonary embolism which is life-threatening
DVT symptoms (leg pain, swelling, redness) on a long coach journey are a medical emergency — a clot could move to the lungs (pulmonary embolism). The driver must stop and call 999 or advise urgent medical attention. Passengers on long journeys should be reminded to move regularly.
Question 5: What is the procedure if a window needs to be broken for emergency evacuation of a coach?
- Use the emergency hammer provided to strike the corner of the window — the corner requires less force and the glass will shatter into small pieces (Correct answer)
- Strike the centre of the window with a fist
- Only special windows can be broken — avoid breaking standard windows
- Windows should only be broken by emergency services — not the driver or passengers
Correct answer: Use the emergency hammer provided to strike the corner of the window — the corner requires less force and the glass will shatter into small pieces
Emergency hammers are provided specifically for breaking coach windows in an emergency. Striking the corner of tempered glass requires less force than the centre and causes the glass to shatter safely into small pieces. Hammers are mounted in accessible locations in the passenger compartment.
Question 6: What is the 'brace position' instruction and when should a PCV driver give it?
- An instruction for passengers to adopt a protective posture before an imminent impact — given when a collision is unavoidable (Correct answer)
- Instructed at the start of every journey as standard
- Given when the bus exceeds 60 mph
- Given routinely when passengers board a coach
Correct answer: An instruction for passengers to adopt a protective posture before an imminent impact — given when a collision is unavoidable
The brace position (leaning forward, hands over head, protecting the face and head) is instructed when an impact is imminent and unavoidable. The driver should give the instruction clearly and loudly: 'Brace, brace, brace.' It reduces injury from the impact.
PCV Emergency Procedures on Coaches 2
What is the purpose of a roof hatch on a coach?