PCV Emergency Procedures on Coaches 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What should a PCV driver do if a passenger suffers an anaphylactic shock (severe allergic reaction)?
- Call 999 immediately, ask if the passenger has an EpiPen and assist them to use it, keep them calm and lying down, and monitor their breathing until emergency services arrive (Correct answer)
- Administer antihistamine tablets from the first aid kit
- Ask other passengers if anyone is a doctor before taking any action
- Advise the passenger to breathe slowly and wait until the next stop
Correct answer: Call 999 immediately, ask if the passenger has an EpiPen and assist them to use it, keep them calm and lying down, and monitor their breathing until emergency services arrive
Anaphylaxis is life-threatening. Call 999 immediately. If the passenger has an auto-injector (EpiPen), help them to use it or use it for them if they are unable to (following training). Keep them lying down, monitor breathing, and be prepared to give CPR if needed.
Question 2: What is the function of an emergency stop switch on a coach?
- To stop the engine in an emergency — typically accessible from outside the vehicle to allow emergency services to shut down the engine (Correct answer)
- To apply emergency braking from the passenger compartment
- A switch that cuts electrical systems in a crash
- To activate the fire suppression system
Correct answer: To stop the engine in an emergency — typically accessible from outside the vehicle to allow emergency services to shut down the engine
Many coaches have an external emergency stop switch (often near the fuel cap or in a marked panel) that allows emergency services or rescuers to shut off the engine and fuel system. This reduces fire risk during rescue operations.
Question 3: What procedure should follow a passenger injury on a coach in terms of documentation?
- Complete a formal accident/incident report immediately, note witness details, photograph the scene if safe, preserve CCTV footage, and report to the operator (Correct answer)
- Only document if the passenger makes a formal complaint
- Document only if the injury requires hospital treatment
- The operator files all documentation — the driver need not record anything
Correct answer: Complete a formal accident/incident report immediately, note witness details, photograph the scene if safe, preserve CCTV footage, and report to the operator
All passenger injuries must be documented through a formal incident report regardless of severity. Evidence (CCTV, witness details, scene photographs) should be preserved immediately. Early, accurate documentation protects the operator and driver and ensures the passenger's claim can be properly investigated.
Question 4: A coach driver notices a passenger has left the vehicle at a remote location and appears distressed and vulnerable. What should the driver do?
- Wait until the passenger is safely away or has assistance — call 999 if they are in immediate danger — and report to the operator (Correct answer)
- Drive away once the passenger has alighted — passengers are adults
- Only act if the passenger requests help
- Report to the operator at the end of the route only
Correct answer: Wait until the passenger is safely away or has assistance — call 999 if they are in immediate danger — and report to the operator
A driver's duty of care extends to a passenger's safety at alighting. If a passenger alights in a potentially vulnerable situation (distressed, in an unfamiliar location, or possibly at risk), the driver should ensure they are safe or call 999 if there is an immediate risk, and report to the operator.
Question 5: What is the procedure for managing a violent or threatening passenger on a coach?
- Stay calm, do not challenge or escalate, contact the control room and police (999) if necessary, stop the coach in a safe well-lit area with other people nearby if the threat is serious (Correct answer)
- Challenge the passenger directly to assert authority
- Continue to the next stop before calling anyone
- Accelerate to reach a police station quickly
Correct answer: Stay calm, do not challenge or escalate, contact the control room and police (999) if necessary, stop the coach in a safe well-lit area with other people nearby if the threat is serious
Violence or serious threats require a calm, professional response. Contact the control room and call 999 if necessary. If it is safe to do so, stop the coach in a populated, well-lit area. Do not confront the passenger aggressively — this escalates the risk. Personal safety and that of other passengers comes first.
Question 6: What is a coach driver's responsibility regarding CCTV on the vehicle in the context of incidents?
- The driver should inform the operator of any incident so CCTV footage can be preserved — CCTV systems may overwrite footage if not downloaded promptly (Correct answer)
- CCTV is entirely managed by the operator — the driver has no responsibility
- CCTV data belongs to the passenger — the driver must not access it
- Only preserve CCTV footage if a passenger specifically requests it
Correct answer: The driver should inform the operator of any incident so CCTV footage can be preserved — CCTV systems may overwrite footage if not downloaded promptly
CCTV footage is vital evidence after incidents. Drivers must report incidents promptly to allow the operator to download and preserve footage before it is overwritten. Delayed reporting can result in the loss of evidence that protects both the operator and the driver.
PCV Emergency Procedures on Coaches 4
What should a PCV driver do if a passenger suffers an anaphylactic shock (severe allergic reaction)?