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Florida Driver Handbook: First Aid

Study for your upcoming driver's license test or learner's permit exam with the Florida Driver Handbook.

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Florida Driver Handbook: First Aid

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Table of Contents

5. Driving Safety

If you come upon a crash, send someone for help. Then apply the three first aid rules:

5.33.1 - Start the Breathing

If the injured person has stopped breathing, start artificial respiration right away. Do not stop until a doctor tells you to stop, or until the victim is breathing normally.

Follow these steps:

  • Use your fingers to clear the victim's mouth.
  • Place the victim on his or her back, lift the neck, and tilt the head back.
  • Hold the victim's nose tightly and blow vigorously through the mouth to make the chest expand once every five seconds (twelve times a minute).
  • When the injured person is a small child, do not pinch the nose. Cover the child's nose and mouth with your mouth and blow smaller more frequent breaths, about 20 per minute.

5.33.2 - Stop the Bleeding

Most bleeding can be stopped by pressing down on the wound. If possible you should place a gauze pad over the wound and then press down. If you do not have a gauze pad, a clean cloth or even your fingers will have to be used. Bleeding from an artery should always be stopped first. The blood from an artery will be bright red and will come out of the wound in spurts. If the blood is darker in color and flows evenly, it is from a vein.

5.33.3 - Treat For Shock

Persons who have been injured may go into shock. When someone is in shock, all of the body functions slow down. Shock can be very serious. It can cause death. Shock may develop right after a crash or later. Injured persons must be treated for shock regardless of whether or not they appear to be in shock:

  • Reassure the injured person. Your calmness will help. Do not give them anything to drink.
  • Cover the person with blankets or coats to hold body heat. Have the person lie flat.
  • Keep onlookers back so that the injured person has air.
  • Keep their head as low as possible unless there is a head injury.
  • Loosen tight collars to make breathing easier.

DO NOT MOVE AN INJURED PERSON WHO CANNOT MOVE OR COMPLAINS OF PAIN IN THE BACK OR NECK. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE HELMET OF AN INJURED MOTORCYCLE OR BICYCLE RIDER.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

  1. If a law enforcement officer stops a vehicle for a violation and finds a front seat passenger, 17 years of age or younger not wearing a safety belt, who will be charged with the seat belt violation? (See section 5.9)
  2. To what ages does the Child Restraint Law apply? (See section 2.1 and 5.10)
  3. What is the maximum speed limit in a residential area if there is no speed limit sign? (See section 5.11)
  4. What is the maximum speed limit on an interstate highway on a clear day? In a rural area? (See section 5.11)
  5. When you are driving too slowly, can you be issued a ticket? (See section 5.11)
  6. If you approach a red light and a traffic officer directs you to go through the intersection without stopping, what should you do? (See section 5.12)
  7. What is the arm signal for a left turn? Right turn? Slow or stop? (See section 5.22)
  8. When may you drive in the left lane of a road with four or more lanes with two-way traffic? (See section 5.23)
  9. After passing a vehicle, you must return to the right side of the road before coming within how many feet of an oncoming vehicle? (See section 5.25)
  10. Where is it unlawful to overtake and pass? (See section 5.25.2)
  11. What is the recommended safe following distance? (See section 5.26)
  12. Which way should you turn your wheels when parking facing uphill where there is a curb? Which way should you turn them where there is not a curb? (See section 5.27.1)
  13. What should you do if you drive past the exit on an interstate highway where you wanted to get off? (See section 5.28.2)
  14. At what times should you use your headlights? (See section 5.29)
  15. When approaching another vehicle from the rear at night, within how many feet must you dim your bright headlights? (See section 5.29)
  16. Within how many feet of an oncoming vehicle should you dim your bright headlights? (See section 5.29)
  17. When driving in the rain, fog, or smoke in the daytime, what lights do you turn use? (See section 5.31.1)

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