Whatever your job, once in position get to know the other marshals and find out who is going to do what. Usually at a marshal's post you'll find an Observer, Flag Marshal, an Incident Officer,, and the Incident Team made up of Incident, Course, and trainee marshals.

Remember that your own safety is important if you're to be able to help anyone. It's not a bad idea when you arrive at a marshalling point to check escape routes - whether you can roll under fencing, jump down a bank or get behind a solid barrier if a car heads towards you. Always try to keep an eye on oncoming race traffic. Wherever possible avoid standing with your back to the traffic.

If there's an incident, let the dust settle. The car may drive off, while the time gathering your thoughts and deciding what to do can be invaluable.

Stay on the banking until the last possible moment - if you have a team leader, wait for his or her signal then use the safest route to the vehicle.

Always take an extinguisher, but don't carry one all the way from your marshalling point if you're going to pass one on the way.

Act as a team. Decide on a strategy then act and use the car involved in the incident for protection by keeping it between yourself and the oncoming traffic. Look and listen for danger and if you hear a whistle, look up, see what's happening and take appropriate action. If more than one car involved, split your resources.

Check the track between sessions. Treat any oil spills, pick up any debris, sweep any gravel or dirt off the racing line, and report any track damage to your Observer.

In racing clear communication is important between marshals and it's worth knowing the basic hand signalling systems.

If a driver is trapped or needs medical assistance and you don't have a doctor, paramedic or ambulance personnel on the post, call for a Rescue Unit, because all Rescue Units should have medical personnel on board. The "RESCUE" signal is arms held out sideways level with the shoulders.

The "DOCTOR" signal - one arm held up like a pupil asking a question - may be used to summon a doctor, paramedic or ambulance personnel who are on the post.

The "AMBULANCE" signal is arms crossed at the wrists and held above the head. This should only be used for an injury in the crowd or to summon assistance when a driver's been removed from a vehicle and has been taken ill on the banking. The ambulance will usually arrive via the spectator area, so urgent cases may also require a Rescue Unit.

The "safe to cross" signal is a sweeping movement with one arm as if Ten Pin Bowling and finally, the "stop" signal is a hand held up in the stop position.