This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to minimise further injury to a casualty when applying first aid and waiting for emergency medical aid. It includes recognition and management of a suspected spinal injury, immobilising cervical spine, evaluating the need to move a casualty, preparing a casualty for transport, transporting and monitoring a casualty and performing a casualty handover.

The unit is applicable to personnel from emergency services, volunteer organisations or organisations which provide a first aid service in an environment where there is a risk of spinal injuries.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1

Identify suspected spinal injury

1.1

Signs and symptoms from a conscious casualty that may suggest a spinal injury are identified

1.2

Signs of life in an unconscious casualty are confirmed

1.3

Basic life support protocols are followed with care for casualty's spine where casualty exhibits no signs of life

1.4

Likely causes of unconsciousness that may suggest a spinal injury are identified

1.5

Emergency medical aid is requested

2

Immobilise cervical spine

2.1

Casualty is communicated with to provide reassurance and to explain need to minimise movement of their spine

2.2

Casualty is measured and appropriately sized cervical collar is selected

2.3

Cervical collar is applied ensuring correct location and tension is applied

2.4

Conscious standing casualty is assisted to supine position, in accordance with organisational procedures and availability of personnel

3

Evaluate need to move casualty

3.1

Potential hazards to first aider and to casualty are identified

3.2

Risk of not moving the casualty while waiting for medical aid to arrive is evaluated

3.3

Plan to move casualty is developed, in accordance with organisational procedures

4

Prepare casualty for transport

4.1

Casualty is communicated with to provide reassurance and the need to immobilise the casualty for transport is explained

4.2

Equipment to immobilise the casualty's spine is selected

4.3

Immobilisation equipment is applied, in accordance with organisational procedures and manufacturers' instructions

5

Transport and monitor casualty

5.1

Casualty is transported away from hazard, ensuring smooth movements are used by the team

5.2

Team is directed in coordinated lifting, movement and lowering of casualty

5.3

Casualty is monitored during transportation

6

Perform casualty handover

6.1

Details of incident are communicated to medical personnel

6.2

Assistance is given to medical personnel, as requested

6.3

Debriefing with supervisor and/or other operational staff is undertaken

6.4

Documentation is completed, in accordance with organisational 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.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Public Safety

Emergency Care