Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Practice Test

If you find an injured person and you are alone, what is the first thing you should do?

1. Call for help immediately

2. Assess the situation without risk to yourself

3. Move the injured person

4. Provide them with water

The correct answer is: Assess the situation without risk to yourself

The first priority in any emergency situation is to assess the situation without risking your own safety. This involves ensuring that the environment is safe for you to approach the injured person. For example, if there are hazards such as fire, traffic, or unstable structures, you must address these before attempting to provide assistance. By assessing the situation first, you can determine the best course of action, which may include calling for help if necessary. This approach ensures that you do not inadvertently become a casualty yourself, complicating the situation further. Once you ascertain that it is safe to approach the injured person, you can then begin to provide the necessary care or call for assistance as needed. The other options might seem useful, but they could place you or the injured person at further risk if proper assessment isn't conducted first. Moving an injured person, for instance, could exacerbate their injuries, and providing water may not be appropriate depending on their condition. Thus, the correct initial action is to first ensure the safety of yourself and the surroundings before proceeding with any help.