The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.

Prerequisite Unit/s

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for the construction of improvised weapons and equipment

1.1 Required weapons and equipment to enhance survival are determined and prioritised as appropriate to the situation

1.2 A basic plan for construction of desired items is developed

1.3 Natural resources are gathered to meet the concept of design

1.4 Two-ply string is constructed from fibrous material for use in binding and securing

2. Construct improvised weapons and equipment

2.1 Timber is shaped using heat to induce and/or remove bends

2.2 Notches, edges and settings are cut into timber to fit and secure additional items

2.3 Timber is hardened using heat to prevent wearing, blunting and splitting

2.4 Additional items are secured to timber using knots and lashes

2.5 Padding is added through grasses and barks to survivalcomfort equipment items

2.6 Baskets are woven and/or assembled using natural resources to store survival items

2.7 Weapons and equipment are maintained and preserved using improvised preservation techniques

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

sharpen and maintain a knife

tie necessary knots and lashings, and seizing and whipping

Required Knowledge

knife and weapon safety

fire safety

knots and lashings

seizing and whipping

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to produce a range of items according to the survival situation, but must include:

Either

Digging stick:

length - minimum half user's body length

shaft diameter (base) - minimum 2.5 cm

plumb - not greater than 7 degrees off 'true' from point to end

point - fire hardened sufficiently to deny adult fingernail from making any marking/indentation

OR

Spear:

length - minimum three quarters user's body length

shaft diameter (base) - maximum 2.0 cm

plumb - not greater than 7 degrees off 'true' from point to end

point - fire hardened sufficiently to deny adult fingernail from making any marking/indentation

Either

Bed:

length and width - must cover user's body when flat with arms by sides

height - must elevate user 10 cm (+) off the ground

level - must be level

strength - must withstand weight of user and frame remain rigid under user's movements

comfort - must have sufficient padding (bark, grass, etc.) to prevent framework from unduly discomforting user

OR

Seat:

dimensions - seat must cover user's posterior

height - must elevate to user's knee level off the ground

level - must be level

strength - must withstand weight of user and frame must remain rigid under user's movements

comfort - must have sufficient padding (bark, grass, etc.) to allow prevent discomfort through pressure of framework

And

Improvised cordage:

6 metres

minimum two-ply lay

capable of supporting 20 kg weight (e.g. water jerry)

maximum 6 mm diameter

And

Basket:

minimum side and bottom length 20 cm

carry handle attached

capable of securing survival items during travel

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated in the construction and maintenance of a range of survival weapons and equipment.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency must be assessed in a simulated workplace environment.

While a person can demonstrate the technical ability to construct improvised weapons and other survival equipment, the aspect of survival is crucial; consequently it is strongly recommended that holistic assessment be conducted with other associated survival units.

Assessment under simulated survival conditions should include:

food restrictions (food should be restricted to half the recommended daily caloric intake)

the absence of normal living conditions and amenities such as showers, beds and bedding (warmth to be provided by fire), kitchens etc. with the attendant levels of personal discomfort and fatigue

a significant period of time - the recommendation is four days.

Specific resources for assessment

Access to assessment area, natural resources (trees, bark, grass, rocks etc.) and a knife.

Guidance information for assessment

Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Traditional techniques may include

Bending

Binding

Carving

Fixing

Hardening

String-making

Weapons include

Bolass

Boomerang

Spear

Equipment includes

Bed

Coolamon

Digging stick

Rock hammer

Seat

Table

Traps and snares

Basic plan for construction of desired items includes

General design

Labour requirements

Resource requirements

Natural resources may include

Bark

Bone

Rocks

Saplings

Stones

Concept of design may include

Collecting stones and bones as specific attachments

Felling saplings for spears and spars

Stripping bark for string and surfacing

Fibrous material may include

Fibrous barks (e.g. acacia, brachychiton)

Fibrous reeds

Additional items may include

Blades

Cross-spars

Points

Survival comfort equipment items may include

Beds

Chairs

Survival items may include

Food and water

Knife

Tinder

Trapping items

Preservation techniques include

Plant and animal oils

Saps

Smoking

This unit contains employability skills.