Required skills

problemsolving skills to

determine the most appropriate rescue method to use according to the incident scene

anticipate and mitigate hazards and risks

determine location and condition of casualty inside cave

communication skills to inform progress and interact with other personnel and casualty throughout the rescue process

teamwork skills to support other personnel in the rescue operation including removing casualties from a cave using lifting lowering and or hauling systems

planning and organising skills to

select relevant equipment

asses the rescue scene before deploying resources

conduct atmospheric monitoring procedures

apply ventilation procedures and respiratory protection in irrespirable atmospheres

self management skills to recognise and report signs of operational stress

first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response to emergencies and treatment of casualties in consultation with medical personnel

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all processes conducted during cave rescues

cave navigation and search techniques to promptly locate the casualty

hazards and risks associated with particular cave rescues to minimise risk to those involved

technical ascending and descending ability to ensure safe and efficient rescue

personal protective and rescue equipment types characteristics and technology to enable appropriate selection and use of equipment

principles and techniques for using and selecting belay systems and devices anchors knots and ropes

methods of removing casualties from caves including lifting lowering hauling and principles of mechanical advantage

ventilation procedures and respiratory protection in irrespirable atmospheres to ensure sufficient oxygen to breathe

rescue and emergency procedures relevant to the location and situation to ensure safety of self and other personnel

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential

analyses operation and task information and selects rescue and personal safety equipment according to the requirements of the cave rescue operation

assesses the incident scene to determine potential hazards and risks and the condition and location of the casualty to determine the most effective and efficient rescue method for the situation

monitors atmosphere quality in the cave and implements appropriate ventilation procedures and respiratory protection where required

communicates with other personnel and casualty throughout the rescue process and treats and removes casualties according to level of responsibility

reflects on and evaluates rescue performance and completes operational documentation

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure conduct of rescues in caves that are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance

Assessment must also ensure access to

caves with a variety of rescue scenarios potential hazards and risks and a casualty to be rescued

personnel for team based rescues

caving safety and rescue equipment

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge The following examples are appropriate for this unit

observation of assessing incident site for hazards and risks prior to performing rescue

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of equipment types and characteristics and organisational policies and procedures and relevant legislation to enable safe conduct of rescue activities

observation of identifying and assessing the location and condition of casualty prior to rescue

observation of performing safe and efficient rescue including the treatment and removal of casualties according to situation and in consultation with other personnel

thirdparty reports from a supervisor detailing performance

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended for example

SISOCVEA Rig ladders in complex situations

SISOCVE409A Rig ladders in complex situations

Guidance information for assessment

Rescue equipment may include:

Personal protective equipment may include:

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

Relevant legislation may include:

Hazards may include:

Risks may include:

Personnel may include:

Evidence may include:

Remove casualties may include:

Preserve the incident scene may include:

Operational documentation may include: