This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to undertake helicopter aquatic rescue and recovery in compliance with relevant regulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and national operating standards.

It includes preparing and responding to aquatic rescue incidents from a helicopter, assessing the rescue scene, in offshore or inland waterways and developing rescue plans. It also includes gaining access to and performing a rescue on a patient, recovering the patient, and concluding the rescue.

This unit addresses technical skill requirements (physical, mental and task-management abilities) related to equipment and system operations of flight or maritime operations personnel and contributes to safe and effective performance in complex operational offshore rescue environments.

Operations are conducted as part of commercial and military aircraft or marine activities across a variety of operational contexts within Australian industry.

Work is performed independently or under limited supervision within a multi-crew environment

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Prepare and respond to rescue

1.1

Operation and task information is obtained from communications centre, briefing from supervisor or other sources

1.2

Rescue equipment and/or resources are identified and selected based on task information received

1.3

Personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing is selected based on the nature of the rescue operation

1.4

Any further details on the nature of the rescue received en route is discussed with rescue team members

1.5

Anticipated situational and environmental hazards are discussed with rescue team members while en route and are for the development of a rescue plan

2

Assess rescue scene

2.1

Observations are made to determine the location, number, condition and position of patients

2.2

Risk assessment on situational and environmental hazards is conducted and control measures applied to ensure safety of self and others are developed

2.3

Requests for additional personnel and/or specialist equipment based on risk assessment is communicated via the communications centre in accordance with organisational procedures

2.4

Personal capabilities and limitations of self and other team members are considered in the development of the rescue plan

3

Develop aquatic rescue plans

3.1

Rescue and recovery techniques suitable to the patient condition, location and offshore environment are identified

3.2

Primary and alternate rescue plans are developed based on situational risk assessment, identification of appropriate rescue and recovery techniques and consultation with other rescue team members

3.3

Appropriate equipment and resources are selected to perform offshore rescue and recovery as identified by the rescue plan

3.4

Alternate rescue plans are implemented when required

4

Gain access and perform offshore rescue of patient

4.1

Communication with team members is maintained during rescue

4.2

Positioning of the patient to assist in extrication and management of a conscious patient

4.3

Offshore rescue asset is appropriately positioned to perform a rescue or recovery where required by the rescue plan

4.4

Offshore rescue techniques and equipment are deployed to gain access to patient as identified in the rescue plan

5

Recover patient

5.1

Offshore rescue plan is implemented, where the patient is extricated and secured by using appropriate rescue and recovery techniques and equipment

5.2

Patient is recovered using techniques in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

5.3

Patient is secured in accordance with organisational emergency care procedures or as directed by first aid or medical personnel

6

Conclude offshore rescue

6.1

Equipment is recovered, cleaned and maintained in accordance with manufacturer guidelines and organisational procedures

6.2

Offshore rescue equipment and PPE is inspected and refurbished at conclusion of incident

6.3

Operational debrief is participated in or conducted in accordance with own role during the offshore rescue

6.4

Post-incident documentation is completed to organisational standards and in accordance with own role requirements

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Not applicable.

W – Equipment and Systems Operations