Free SIA Mock Test · Unit 4
Physical Intervention & First Aid Mock Test
29 exam-style questions, one at a time — just like exam day. Score and full explanations at the end. Free, no signup.
Unit 4 is assessed by a practical assessment plus a short written knowledge check — not a standard multiple-choice exam — so this test is a revision aid for the safety-critical theory behind it, not a mock of the practical. It covers when physical intervention is lawful and proportionate, reasonable force, the serious risks (including positional asphyxia), and the emergency first aid every door supervisor must be able to give. You must be able to answer the safety questions correctly to pass the real unit, so treat these as must-knows.
Note: the physical intervention unit is assessed by a practical assessment plus a short written knowledge check, not a standard exam. This test revises that safety-critical theory — the practical techniques are assessed in person by your training provider.
Want the full exam-day experience across every unit? Take the free full mixed mock — it mixes this unit with the other three.
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Exam-simulator mode: picking an answer saves it and automatically moves you to the next question. You will not see right/wrong until you finish — just like the real SIA door supervisor exam.
Question 1 of 29.In the context of a door supervisor's role, physical intervention should always be treated as:
Prefer to read? All 29 questions with answers
In the context of a door supervisor's role, physical intervention should always be treated as:
- The first tool used whenever a customer becomes verbally abusive
- A routine part of asking someone to leave the premises
- A more professional alternative to talking a situation down
- A last resort, used only when other options have failed or are inappropriate (correct answer)
Physical intervention is always a last resort. It should be considered only when non-physical options such as communication, de-escalation and giving the person the chance to leave have failed, are likely to fail, or it is not possible or appropriate to simply withdraw. Using force as a first response, as a routine tool, or as a preferred alternative to talking would be neither reasonable nor proportionate and could expose the door supervisor to criminal and civil liability.
Under the law of England and Wales, any force used in a physical intervention must be:
- Enough to guarantee the person can never move again
- Whatever the door supervisor feels is justified at the time
- Reasonable, necessary and proportionate to the threat faced (correct answer)
- Applied only after formal written permission from a manager
Force is only lawful where it is reasonable, necessary and proportionate in the circumstances as the person honestly believed them to be. The level of force must be the minimum required to deal with the threat and must stop as soon as it is no longer needed. Force intended to overpower someone permanently, force based purely on personal feeling without justification, or the idea that force always requires prior manager sign-off all misstate the legal test.
A restraint that places a person face down on the floor is especially dangerous because it can lead to:
- Positional asphyxia, where breathing is fatally restricted (correct answer)
- A mild skin rash that clears up on its own
- Temporary hearing loss that always recovers
- Loss of the door supervisor's licence points
Positional asphyxia occurs when a person's body position, most commonly being held face down (prone) on the ground, restricts their ability to breathe and can cause death or permanent brain damage from lack of oxygen. Many people have died during forceful prone restraint. Face-down ground holds should be avoided wherever possible and, if unavoidable, kept as brief as possible with constant monitoring of breathing. The other options trivialise or misdescribe a genuinely life-threatening risk.
Which of the following most increases the risk of positional asphyxia during a restraint?
- Keeping the person upright and talking calmly to them throughout
- Weight or pressure on the person's back or chest while face down (correct answer)
- Supporting the person in a seated position with the chest free
- Releasing the person as soon as they stop resisting and comply
Downward pressure or weight on the back or chest of a person who is lying face down compresses the chest and abdomen and severely restricts breathing, which is the central mechanism of positional asphyxia. Keeping someone upright, letting them sit, and releasing them promptly all reduce risk because they allow the chest to expand and the lungs to fill normally. This is why prone restraint with body weight on the torso is regarded as extremely high risk.
Signs that may indicate acute behavioural disturbance (ABD) in a person you are dealing with include:
- Speaking slowly and clearly while looking relaxed and settled
- Sitting quietly with steady breathing and a normal skin colour
- Extreme agitation, feeling very hot, heavy sweating and a very fast pulse (correct answer)
- Drowsiness with slow, even breathing and cool, dry skin
Acute behavioural disturbance is a medical emergency in which someone shows extreme agitation, aggression or distress alongside physical signs such as feeling extremely hot, sweating heavily, rapid breathing and a very fast heart rate. People experiencing ABD are at high risk of sudden collapse and death, particularly if restrained, so it must be treated as a medical emergency with an urgent ambulance request rather than as ordinary misbehaviour. The calm or sleepy behaviours described are not indicators of ABD.
If you recognise possible acute behavioural disturbance (ABD) in a person, the priority is to:
- Restrain them face down on the floor until they stop struggling
- Wait and watch quietly, assuming it will settle on its own
- Block their way and keep them well away from the exit doors
- Treat it as a medical emergency and call an ambulance urgently (correct answer)
ABD carries a real risk of sudden death, so it must be treated as a medical emergency: call 999 for an ambulance, explain the signs you can see, and keep any restraint to the absolute minimum because forceful, prolonged or prone restraint dramatically increases the risk of collapse. Holding someone face down until they stop struggling is exactly the wrong response and can be fatal. The other options either delay urgent medical help or focus on the wrong priority.
During any physical intervention, which of the following should be monitored continuously?
- The person's breathing, colour and level of consciousness (correct answer)
- The current time on the venue's clock only
- How loudly the person is swearing
- Whether other customers are recording on their phones
The welfare of the person being restrained is the priority throughout an intervention. You must continuously monitor their breathing, skin colour (for example any blueness of the lips), responsiveness and general condition so that you can release them and give first aid immediately if they show signs of distress. Warning signs are easy to miss during a struggle, which is why monitoring is a constant duty. Swearing, bystander phones and the clock do not tell you whether the person is safe.
The safest general principle for the duration of any restraint is that it should be:
- Maintained for at least thirty minutes to be sure
- Continued until the police physically take over, no matter how long
- Held until the person apologises
- Kept for as short a time as possible, releasing as soon as it is safe (correct answer)
Restraint should last only as long as strictly necessary and must be released as soon as it is safe to do so, because the risk of harm, including positional asphyxia, rises the longer someone is held and struggling. Prolonged restraint for a fixed long period, holding indefinitely regardless of the person's condition, or waiting for an apology are all inappropriate and increase the danger to the person and the legal risk to the door supervisor.
Disengagement skills taught to door supervisors are primarily intended to:
- Inflict as much pain as possible so the person never comes back
- Show off advanced martial arts techniques to impress colleagues
- Break away safely from grabs or holds and create distance (correct answer)
- Remove any need to call the police when a crime has taken place
Disengagement (breakaway) skills are low-level techniques that let a door supervisor release themselves from a grab, hold or bite and move to a safer distance with minimal risk of injury to either party. They are about safe self-protection and creating space to de-escalate or withdraw, not about inflicting pain, showing off, or removing the need to involve the police when a crime has occurred. The emphasis is always on the least force necessary.
Which factor could make a person more vulnerable to harm during a physical intervention?
- Being physically fit, well rested and properly hydrated
- Intoxication, obesity or an underlying heart or breathing condition (correct answer)
- Wearing loose, comfortable clothing that does not restrict them
- Having eaten a full meal a short time before the incident
Intoxication with alcohol or drugs, obesity, exhaustion from struggling, and underlying conditions such as heart or breathing problems all increase the risk that a restraint will cause serious harm or death. These factors affect the body's ability to cope with the physical stress and reduced breathing capacity that restraint can cause. Being fit and hydrated, wearing loose clothing, or having eaten beforehand are not, in themselves, medical risk factors that make restraint more dangerous.
After any physical intervention has taken place, a door supervisor should:
- Say nothing about it and hope that nobody asks any questions
- Delete any CCTV footage that shows the event taking place
- Ask any witnesses to change their accounts of what happened
- Record the facts accurately in the incident report, noting injuries (correct answer)
An accurate, factual written record of what happened, why force was used, what force was used and any injuries or medical concerns should be made as soon as possible after an intervention. This protects the door supervisor, supports any police investigation and helps the venue review its procedures. Concealing the event, destroying evidence such as CCTV, or influencing witnesses would be dishonest, could pervert the course of justice, and would seriously breach professional standards.
The primary survey used in emergency first aid follows the sequence commonly remembered as:
- DR ABC — Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation (correct answer)
- ABCD — Ask, Bandage, Comfort, Discharge
- STOP — Sit, Talk, Observe, Pause
- RICE — Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
The primary survey is a quick, systematic check for immediately life-threatening problems, remembered as DR ABC: check for Danger, check the casualty's Response, open and check the Airway, check for normal Breathing, and assess Circulation (including any severe bleeding). RICE is a treatment for sprains and strains, not a primary survey, and the other options are not recognised first-aid sequences.
The very first thing you should do when approaching any casualty is to:
- Begin chest compressions immediately
- Check for dangers to yourself, the casualty and bystanders before getting close (correct answer)
- Give them a drink of water
- Move them to a more comfortable position straight away
The 'D' for Danger comes first in the primary survey for a reason: you must make sure the area is safe before you approach, otherwise you risk becoming a casualty yourself and being unable to help anyone. Only once it is safe do you check the person's response and airway. Starting compressions, giving fluids or moving the casualty before assessing danger and their condition could be harmful or dangerous.
You find an adult collapsed and want to check their response. The recommended first step is to:
- Throw cold water over their face
- Slap them firmly to wake them
- Gently shake their shoulders and ask loudly, 'Are you all right?' (correct answer)
- Lift their eyelids and shine a torch
To check response you gently shake the person's shoulders and ask loudly whether they are all right, giving a clear verbal command such as 'Open your eyes'. If there is no response, treat them as unresponsive and move on through the primary survey, shouting for help. Throwing water, slapping or shining torches into eyes are not recognised methods of assessing response and could cause harm or delay proper assessment.
You have checked an unresponsive adult's airway and find they are NOT breathing normally. You should:
- Put them straight into the recovery position
- Wait ten minutes to see if breathing returns
- Start CPR and, if not already done, ensure 999 has been called and an AED is sent for (correct answer)
- Give them a sugary drink
An unresponsive adult who is not breathing normally is in cardiac arrest and needs CPR started immediately, with 999 called and someone sent for the nearest AED (defibrillator). Early CPR and defibrillation can double to quadruple the chances of survival. The recovery position is only for an unresponsive casualty who IS breathing normally. Waiting or giving fluids to someone in cardiac arrest wastes the small window in which their life can be saved.
For CPR on an adult, chest compressions should be delivered at a rate of approximately:
- 40 to 60 per minute
- 180 to 200 per minute
- As slowly as possible to save energy
- 100 to 120 per minute (correct answer)
UK guidance recommends chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute for an adult in cardiac arrest. This rate keeps blood circulating to vital organs, especially the brain, until defibrillation or advanced help arrives. Compressing much slower than this fails to maintain adequate circulation, while compressing far too fast does not allow the chest to recoil and the heart to refill properly between compressions.
When performing chest compressions on an adult, you should press down to a depth of about:
- 1 to 2 cm
- 5 to 6 cm (correct answer)
- 10 to 12 cm
- Just enough to touch the skin
Effective adult chest compressions are delivered to a depth of about 5 to 6 cm, allowing the chest to come back up fully between each compression. This depth is needed to squeeze the heart enough to move blood around the body. Compressions that are too shallow do not circulate blood effectively, while pressing deeper than about 6 cm increases the risk of causing injury such as broken ribs without added benefit.
For a trained rescuer giving full CPR to an adult, the recommended ratio of compressions to rescue breaths is:
- 15 compressions to 2 breaths
- 5 compressions to 1 breath
- 30 compressions to 2 breaths (correct answer)
- 2 compressions to 30 breaths
A trained rescuer performing CPR on an adult gives 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths, repeating this 30:2 cycle. If a rescuer is untrained or unable or unwilling to give rescue breaths, current guidance says to give continuous chest-compression-only CPR rather than doing nothing, as any CPR is better than none. The other ratios listed are not the recommended standard for adult CPR.
A door supervisor is untrained in rescue breaths and is faced with an adult in cardiac arrest. Current UK guidance says they should:
- Do nothing until a trained person arrives
- Give rescue breaths only, with no compressions
- Shake the person repeatedly instead
- Give continuous chest-compression-only CPR (correct answer)
If a rescuer has not been trained in rescue breaths, or is unwilling or unable to give them, current UK guidance recommends chest-compression-only (hands-only) CPR at 100 to 120 per minute without stopping. Doing nothing loses the casualty's only chance, breaths alone without compressions do not circulate blood, and shaking the person is not a treatment for cardiac arrest. Any bystander CPR significantly improves the chance of survival.
When an automated external defibrillator (AED) arrives at a cardiac arrest, you should:
- Only use it if you are a qualified doctor
- Turn it on and follow its spoken and visual prompts, applying the pads as shown (correct answer)
- Deliver a shock immediately without attaching the pads
- Wait for the police before switching it on
An AED is designed to be used by any member of the public. You turn it on and follow the clear spoken and visual instructions, attaching the pads to the casualty's bare chest as illustrated on the device. The AED itself analyses the heart rhythm and will only allow a shock to be given, telling you when to press the shock button, if one is needed. You do not need to be medically qualified, you must attach the pads first, and you should never delay using it.
While an AED is analysing the casualty's heart rhythm or about to deliver a shock, everyone must:
- Continue chest compressions throughout the shock
- Hold the casualty's hand for reassurance
- Stand clear and make sure no one is touching the casualty (correct answer)
- Pour water over the chest to improve the shock
When the AED is analysing the rhythm and, in particular, when it is about to deliver a shock, everyone must stand completely clear and ensure no one is touching the casualty, so that the analysis is accurate and no rescuer receives the shock. The AED prompts will tell you when to stand clear and when it is safe to resume compressions. Touching the person or wetting the chest during a shock is dangerous and could injure the rescuer.
You find an adult who is unresponsive but breathing normally, with no suspicion of a spinal injury. You should:
- Start chest compressions on them straight away
- Sit them upright in a chair and give them a drink
- Leave them lying on their back and wait for the ambulance
- Place them in the recovery position and keep monitoring breathing (correct answer)
An unresponsive casualty who is breathing normally should be placed in the recovery position, which keeps the airway open and allows any fluids such as vomit to drain out, reducing the risk of choking. You then call for an ambulance if not already done and keep monitoring their breathing. Chest compressions are only for someone who is not breathing normally, and giving food or drink to an unresponsive person risks blocking their airway.
The main purpose of the recovery position is to:
- Keep the airway open and allow fluids to drain, preventing choking (correct answer)
- Warm the casualty up quickly
- Make it easier to carry the casualty
- Restart the heart
The recovery position is used for an unresponsive but breathing casualty to keep the airway clear and open. Lying them on their side with the head tilted allows the tongue to fall forward and any vomit or fluids to drain from the mouth, which prevents them from choking or inhaling fluid. It does not warm someone, is not primarily about carrying them, and cannot restart a heart, which requires CPR and defibrillation.
An adult is choking, cannot speak or cough effectively, and is clearly struggling to breathe. After encouraging them to cough fails, you should first give:
- A glass of water to wash it down
- Five abdominal thrusts straight away
- Five sharp back blows between the shoulder blades (correct answer)
- Chest compressions on the floor
For an adult with a severe airway obstruction who cannot clear it by coughing, you give up to five sharp back blows between the shoulder blades, supporting them to lean well forward and checking after each blow to see if the blockage has cleared. Only if back blows fail do you move on to up to five abdominal thrusts, alternating the two. Giving water can make things worse, and abdominal thrusts are not the first step.
If five back blows fail to clear a choking adult's airway, the next step is to:
- Lie them down and start CPR immediately
- Give up to five abdominal thrusts, then alternate back blows and thrusts (correct answer)
- Tell them to walk it off
- Give five more back blows and then stop
If back blows do not clear the obstruction, you give up to five abdominal thrusts by standing behind the person and pulling sharply inwards and upwards below the ribcage. You then alternate five back blows with five abdominal thrusts, calling 999 if the blockage has not cleared, and continue until it clears or the person becomes unresponsive. CPR is only started if the person becomes unresponsive, and telling them to 'walk it off' is dangerous.
A person has a severe, heavily bleeding wound to the arm. The most important immediate action is to:
- Give them a hot drink to keep their strength up
- Wait for the bleeding to stop by itself
- Ask them to raise their voice so you know they are conscious
- Apply firm, direct pressure to the wound with a dressing or clean cloth (correct answer)
Severe external bleeding is controlled by applying firm, direct pressure to the wound using a sterile dressing or clean, non-fluffy cloth, and securing it with a bandage tight enough to maintain pressure but not so tight it cuts off circulation. If blood soaks through, you apply further pressure. You should also call 999. Giving a hot drink, waiting passively, or focusing on their voice would all fail to stop the life-threatening blood loss.
A casualty is pale, cold and clammy, with a fast, weak pulse and rapid breathing after a serious injury. These are signs of shock. You should:
- Sit them up and give them a large meal
- Lay them down, raise their legs, keep them warm and call 999 (correct answer)
- Walk them briskly around to improve circulation
- Give them alcohol to calm them down
Shock is a life-threatening failure of the circulation. Treat it by helping the casualty lie down, raising and supporting their legs to help blood flow to the vital organs, loosening tight clothing, keeping them warm and calling 999 urgently. You should not give them anything to eat or drink, including alcohol, in case they need an operation and because it can worsen their condition. Making them sit up or walk around would reduce blood flow to the brain.
Someone in your venue has a seizure and falls to the floor, shaking. The correct first-aid response is to:
- Hold their arms and legs firmly still to stop the shaking
- Force something between their teeth to protect their tongue
- Cushion their head, move objects away and time the seizure (correct answer)
- Splash cold water over their face to try to wake them up
During a seizure you should stay calm, protect the person from harm by moving dangerous objects away and cushioning their head, and time how long the seizure lasts, but you must not restrain them or put anything in their mouth. Restraining someone or forcing objects between the teeth can cause serious injury. After the seizure ends, place them in the recovery position and monitor them, calling 999 if it lasts more than five minutes, repeats, or it is their first seizure.
During emergency first aid, why should you avoid giving an unconscious or seriously injured casualty anything to eat or drink?
- It costs the venue money
- It could block their airway and it may delay any surgery they need at hospital (correct answer)
- It is against the door supervisor's code of dress
- It always causes an allergic reaction
You should not give food or drink to an unconscious casualty because they cannot swallow safely and it could block or be inhaled into the airway. Even for a conscious but seriously injured casualty who may need an anaesthetic and surgery, eating or drinking can delay their operation and increase risks. The reason is patient safety, not cost, dress code or allergy, though you can moisten the lips of a conscious casualty who complains of thirst.
FAQ: Physical Intervention & First Aid
Is the Physical Intervention & First Aid unit assessed by an exam?
The physical intervention unit is assessed by a practical assessment plus a short written knowledge check, not by a standard multiple-choice exam. This test revises the safety-critical theory behind it — reasonable force, the risks of restraint including positional asphyxia, and emergency first aid — which you must know to pass. Your training provider assesses the practical techniques in person.
What is the pass mark for the Physical Intervention & First Aid exam?
Awarding organisations set the pass mark per exam version and generally do not publish a single fixed percentage, so your training provider will confirm the exact figure before you sit the exam. This mock uses a 70% benchmark as a sensible study target — clear it comfortably and you are in good shape.
Are these the real SIA exam questions?
No. Real exam questions are confidential and belong to the awarding organisations. Every question here is original, written to mirror the style, difficulty and published content of the unit. Scoring well is strong evidence you are ready, not a preview of the exact questions.
Is this mock test free?
Yes — every question, explanation and score report is free, with no signup and no expiring trial. Retake it as many times as you like.
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Passing the exam is step one
To work on the door you need the full Level 2 Award, a valid first aid qualification, and an SIA licence. See exactly what is involved, what it costs, and how to apply.