The answer options
- 1 to 2 centimetres
- 10 to 15 centimetres
- 15 to 20 centimetres
- 5 to 6 centimetresCorrect
Why that is the answer
When delivering chest compressions to a non-breathing adult casualty, press down firmly to a depth of 5 to 6 centimetres. Official DVSA first aid guidance highlights that this depth is required to effectively compress the heart and keep oxygenated blood circulating to vital organs. Pressing only 1 to 2 centimetres is too gentle to pump blood effectively, while pushing down 10 centimetres or more risks causing severe internal damage.
How this comes up in the real test
Questions from incidents, accidents and emergencies appear throughout the 50-question multiple-choice section, and the wording changes between versions. Learn the rule rather than the sentence: the DVSA can ask the same point from the opposite direction, and a memorised answer falls over the moment the phrasing moves.
The pass mark is 43 out of 50, so seven wrong answers is your entire margin. If a whole category is shaky, run the topic practice below until you are getting every question right for the right reason, then go back to full mocks under the clock.
More incidents, accidents and emergencies questions
- After a collision, someone is unconscious in their vehicle. When should you call the emergency services?
- An injured motorcyclist is lying unconscious in the road. The traffic has stopped and there’s no further danger. What could you do to help?
- An injured person has been placed in the recovery position. They’re unconscious but breathing normally. What else should be done?
- At an incident, a casualty is unconscious but breathing. When should you move them?
- At an incident, a casualty isn’t breathing. What should you do while helping them to start breathing again?
- At an incident, how could you help a casualty who has stopped breathing?