Handling Emergencies

Study questions with answers

12 sample Handling Emergencies questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. A B:C rated fire extinguisher is designed to work on which kinds of fires?

   Correct answer: Electrical fires and burning liquids

   The B:C extinguisher works on electrical fires and burning liquids; do not use water on electrical or gasoline fires.

   Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.21.3 (Fire Fighting)

2. 2. While making a quick emergency turn, what should you avoid doing with the brakes?

   Correct answer: Do not apply the brakes while turning

   Do not brake while you are turning quickly, because it is easy to lock the wheels and skid out of control.

   Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.17.1 (Steering to Avoid a Crash)

3. 3. To correct a drive-wheel braking skid, what are the two key actions?

   Correct answer: Stop braking and then counter-steer

   Stop braking to let the rear wheels roll again, then counter-steer quickly as the vehicle straightens so you do not skid the other way.

   Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.19.2 (Correcting a Drive-wheel Braking Skid)

4. 4. The three basic steps to take at any accident scene are what?

   Correct answer: Protect the area, notify authorities, and care for the injured

   At any accident you should protect the area, notify the authorities, and care for the injured.

   Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.20 (Accident Procedures)

5. 5. In the controlled braking method, how hard do you apply the brakes?

   Correct answer: As hard as possible without locking the wheels

   Controlled braking means pressing the brakes just short of the point where the wheels would lock, while keeping steering inputs very small.

   Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.17.2 (How to Stop Quickly and Safely)

6. 6. If your hydraulic brakes lose pressure and the pedal goes to the floor, which action can help slow the vehicle?

   Correct answer: Downshift into a lower gear

   You can downshift into a lower gear, pump the brakes to build pressure, and use the separate parking brake to help slow the vehicle.

   Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.17.3 (Brake Failure)

7. 7. The most common type of skid results from what?

   Correct answer: The rear wheels losing traction from over-braking or over-acceleration

   The most common skid is a rear-wheel skid caused by too much braking or acceleration, which can spin a straight truck or jackknife a combination.

   Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.19.1 (Drive-wheel Skids)

8. 8. For a cargo fire inside a van or box trailer, what should you do with the doors?

   Correct answer: Keep the doors shut to avoid feeding the fire oxygen

   Keep the doors shut, especially with hazardous cargo, because opening them feeds the fire oxygen and can make it burn very fast.

   Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.21.3 (Fire Fighting)

9. 9. When caring for someone bleeding heavily at an accident, what should you do?

   Correct answer: Apply direct pressure to the wound

   Control serious bleeding by pressing firmly and directly on the wound, and leave a badly injured person in place unless fire or traffic forces a move.

   Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.20.3 (Care for the Injured)

10. 10. If a tire suddenly blows out, what should you do first?

    Correct answer: Hold the steering wheel firmly and stay off the brake at first

    Grip the wheel tightly using both hands, since a failed front tire can wrench it from your hold; keep your foot off the brake until the rig has slowed.

    Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.17.4 (Tire Failure)

11. 11. An escape ramp on a steep downgrade is built to do what?

    Correct answer: Stop a runaway vehicle safely

    An escape ramp is built to bring a runaway vehicle to a safe stop with a long bed of loose, soft material, at times paired with an upgrade.

    Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.16.4 (Proper Braking Technique)

12. 12. When there is not enough room to stop, what does the manual say is often true about steering versus stopping?

    Correct answer: You can usually turn to miss an object faster than you can stop

    In most cases you can turn away from an object faster than you could brake to a halt, though top-heavy loads and multi-trailer rigs may roll.

    Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.17.1 (Steering to Avoid a Crash)