ARE you equipped to deal with a First Aid situation. St John Ambulance has come up with a quiz to test your knowledge just in time for Christmas.

1. You are putting the lights on the tree and your friend doesn't notice that the flex is frayed. When he switches them on, he gets an electric shock and can't let go of the cable. Do you:

a) Approach him and remove his hand from the cable.

b) Switch the electricity off at the mains.

c) Attempt to make him drink a cold glass of water.

2. A turkey bone becomes lodged in your throat and you are having difficulty breathing. What can anyone do to help you immediately?

a) Wait for the Queen's speech to finish then offer you a sweet cup of tea.

b) Put you into the recovery position

c) Tilt you forwards and give you five sharp slaps on the back between the shoulder blades.

3. You find your 18-year-old son slouched in the armchair. There is a strong smell of alcohol on his breath, his face is flushed and he is breathing very heavily. Do you:

a) Lie him face down on the floor and cover him with a blanket.

b) Gently shake his shoulders and shout at him to see if he responds.

c) Try to induce vomiting.

4. A toddler is choking on the plastic eye from a teddy bear. Do you:

a) Support her, head down, and slap her briskly between the shoulder blades.

b) Insert two fingers in her mouth to induce vomiting.

c) Hold her by the ankles and shake her vigorously.

5. You are lighting a candle and your sleeve catches fire. You panic as the flame begins to spread. Your daughter is standing by, what should she do first?

a) Douse the flames and smother the arm in butter.

b) Pour water on the flames, wrap the arm and roll you along the floor.

c) Rush you into the garden, where there is a cool breeze.

6. Your partner cuts his hand badly on a knife.Do you:

a) Apply a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.

b) Wash the cut.

c) Apply direct pressure to the wound.

7. A friend develops a dry, persistent cough and you realise he is choking on a peanut. You slap him sharply between the shoulders. He still needs your help. What do you do next?

a) Help him to lie down and raise and support his legs.

b) Gently rub the casualty's chest with cod liver oil.

c) Try to remove the obstruction by sharply pulling against the diaphragm.

8. An elderly relative falls down stairs and hurts her ankle. You have supported the ankle in a comfortable position. What do you do now?

a) Soothe the casualty's injury in a bowl of boiling hot water.

b) Rotate the ankle to test the flexibility of the joint.

c) Apply an ice-pack or cold compress directly to the injury.

9. Your partner complains of pain like severe indigestion high in the abdomen. His skin is ashen and his lips are blue. What should you do immediately?

a) Remove his footwear and massage his feet.

b) Placehim in a half sitting position with head and shoulders supported and knees bent.

c) Encourage the casualty to slowly walk around the room.

10. A child faints and falls to the floor. What should you do first?

a) Lay the casualty down and support her legs.

b) Take the child outside and ensure that she stands upright for 10 minutes.

c) Vigorously shake the child by the head to revive her.

11. A neighbour slips on black ice. She has a nasty bump on her head, but is not unconscious. How do you react?

a) Rush her to hospital.

b) Take her inside to sleep and look on her later in the morning.

c) Watch her carefully and seek immediate medical advice if she appears drowsy.

12. You burn you hand badly on the oven. What should you do to relieve the pain?

a) Carefully cover the wound in kitchen foil to cool the skin.

b) Leave the injury untouched and place your head between your knees.

c) Keep the burn under running water for 10 minutes.

13. You become worried your elderly friend is suffering from hypothermia. He is shivering and cold as marble to the touch. What would you do next?

a) Place him in a well-covered bed and phone the doctor for more advice.

b) Help him into a steaming hot bath.

c) Fill a hot water bottle with hot water and place on his chest.

14. Your niece has a bleeding nose. Do you?

a) Lean her forward and pinch the soft part of the nose just below the bone.

b) Bathe the bleeding nose with warm water.

c) Tilt the head backwards and pinch the bony part of the nose.

15. A party guest has an epileptic fit. How do react immediately?

a) Attempt to hold him down with as much force as you feel is necessary.

b) After making space around him, loosen clothing around his neck and protect his head.

c) Give the patient a strong alcoholic drink to revive his spirits.

16. Your child is ill with the flu and complaining of a throbbing pain in the ear. What should you do to relieve her distress?

a) Give her the recommended dose of paracetamol syrup to ease the pain.

b) Insert a small object into the ear such as a cotton bud.

c) Give her a large dose of aspirin and ensure she goes to sleep.

St John Ambulance runs a range of First Aid courses throughout the country. For details, call 020 7235 5231, fax 020 7235 0756 or www.sja.org.uk for details. Answers: 1. b; 2. c; 3. b; 4. a; 5. b; 6. c; 7. c; 8. c; 9. b; 10. a; 11. c; 12. c; 13. a; 14. a; 15. b; 16. a.