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

PUAEME001B Provide emergency care

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare and respond to rescue

1.1 Operation and task information is obtained and discussed with team members

1.2 Appropriate rescue equipment is identified and selected based on task information as directed by the supervisor

1.3 Personal protective equipment is selected based on the nature of the rescue operation

1.4 Any further details of the nature of the rescue are received en route

2. Participate in assessing the rescue scene

2.1 Hazards are identified on approach to rescue scene

2.2 Methods for minimising hazards are discussed and agreed to by team members

2.3 Hazards and environmental conditions are minimised or controlled

2.4 Communication with other team members is maintained using appropriate techniques and terminology

2.5 Health and safety, and security procedures are correctly followed in accordance with organisational policy and relevant legislation

2.6 Personal capabilities and limitations are recognised and referred to the supervisor

2.7 Need for additional personnel and/or specialist equipment is reported to the supervisor

3. Perform rescue

3.1 Access to incident and/or casualties is gained using techniques and equipment in accordance with organisational procedures

3.2 Rescue procedures are conducted in accordance with supervisor's instructions and organisational procedures

3.3 Casualties are prepared for removal in accordance with organisational policy and procedures

3.4 Casualties are extricated safely using appropriate equipment, rescue techniques and organisational procedures

4. Conclude rescue operations

4.1 Equipment is recovered, cleaned and maintained to organisational standards and manufacturers' procedures, and restored to maintain operational readiness

4.2 Where identified, signs and symptoms of operational stress in self and others are reported to relevant personnel

4.3 Operational debriefing is participated in and operational documentation is completed to organisational standards

4.4 Hygiene precautions are implemented in accordance with the organisation's requirements

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

Required Skills

participate as a team member

use rescue equipment

work on a constantly moving platform

Required Knowledge

capabilities and limitations of rescue equipment

casualty handling techniques

composition of team, and roles and responsibilities of team members

environmental hazards

manual handling techniques

nationally agreed hazard marking systems

personal hygiene

procedures for reporting injuries and accidents

relevant legislative and regulatory requirements

ropes, lines and knots

safety precautions

surface search and surface clearance of casualties

techniques and aids

verbal and non-verbal communication techniques including hand signals and language style

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to apply safe work practices in rescue operations; to use equipment in accordance with organisational procedures; to respond and react to instructions in a safe, correct and timely manner; to correctly select and wear personal protective equipment in accordance with organisational requirements

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated across a range of rescue operations over time to ensure identified situational variables are consistently achieved

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in a range of rescue operations while on the job or in a simulated environment and under a variety of weather conditions

Specific resources for assessment

Access to:

rescue and personal protective equipment listed in the Range statement

a suitable environment necessary to conduct a range of rescue operations listed in the Range statement

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.

Rescue operations may include participation in

Aquatic search and rescue

Bar rescue

Boating rescue

Cliff rescue

Open water sea rescue

River, lake or dam rescue

Surf rescue

Rescue equipment may include

Boards

Flotation equipment

Hand tools

Life rafts

Lighting equipment

Rescue vessels

Ropes

Tubes

Winch

Personal protective equipment may include

Appropriate protective clothing

Ear protection

Helmet

Infection protection

Personal floating devices

Reflective vests

Respiratory protection

Safety glasses

Safety gloves

Sun protection

Wetsuits

Hazards may include

Adverse weather

Cliffs and rocks

Hazardous creatures

Hazardous materials

Insufficient light

Other craft and users

Pollution

Piers

Sandbanks, bars and rips

Sea conditions

Surf type

Environmental conditions may include

Effects of weather

Sea, surf and ocean conditions

Shallow water, bars and rips

Tides

Communication techniques may include

Non-verbal

Signs and signals

Touch

Verbal

Written

Operational documentation may include

Incident reports

Legislation

Organisation's policies and procedures

Hygiene precautions may include

Avoiding contact with body fluids

Washing hands

Wearing appropriate protective clothing

This unit contains employability skills.