Application
The application of this unit in the workplace covers a range of open water rescue situations using PWC.
This unit is typically relevant for personnel from emergency services and/or volunteer organisations or organisations where surveillance and rescue operations in open water are undertaken.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Prepare for operations | 1.1 Relevant logbooks are reviewed for previous operational feedback and pre-use information is completed in accordance with organisational requirements. 1.2 Pre-operational checks of PWC are completed in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines and organisational procedures. 1.3 Ancillary equipment is checked and securely stowed. 1.4 Personal protective equipment (PPE) is applied or stowed as appropriate. 1.5 PWC is transported to launching site and is launched according to manufacturer's guidelines and organisational procedures. |
2. Receive task information | 2.1 Task information received verbally or through communications system is acknowledged. 2.2 Personal capability to perform task based on surf conditions is evaluated prior to accepting task and this information is communicated to supervisor or communicator. |
3. Manoeuvre PWC according to surf conditions | 3.1 PWC is operated safely according to surf conditions and within personal skills and limitations. 3.2 Local regulations and legislation relevant to the operation of personal water craft are followed. 3.3 Communication with operational base is maintained. 3.4 Personal protective equipment is worn correctly. 3.5 Emergency procedures are implemented. |
4. Assess rescue scene | 4.1 Risk analysis of rescue scene is undertaken and hazards are identified. 4.2 Rescue method suitable to the situation is selected. 4.3 Safe passage to and out of the rescue scenes is assessed. |
5. Perform rescue | 5.1 Safe passage to and out of the rescue scene is navigated. 5.2 Powercraft is positioned at rescue scene. 5.3 Casualty is retrieved safely and is secured in accordance with organisational processes. 5.4 Progress is communicated to operational base. 5.5 Casualty is handed over at designated point . 5.6 Casualty transfer is completed in accordance with organisational procedures. |
6. Complete rescue operations and recovery requirements | 6.1 PWC is recovered from launch site and is transported to storage. 6.2 Post-operational checks and maintenance are completed in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and organisational procedures. 6.3 Debriefing with supervisor or other operational staff is completed. 6.4 Relevant logbooks are completed according to organisational requirements. |
Required Skills
This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit. |
Required Skills |
handle PWC confidently and safely read surf conditions rescue people safely swim in the surf in moderate conditions use radio communications use recognised signals |
Required Knowledge |
effects of wind, tide, swell and ocean floor on surf conditions features and signs of rips, gutters, sweeps and currents organisational craft operational procedures organisational procedures for cleaning and discarding equipment in terms of environmental management and sustainability search and rescue techniques self-rescue techniques surf awareness including beach safety zones surf hazards surf survival techniques types of waves and their characteristic features |
Evidence Required
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package. | |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Assessment must confirm the ability to: safely operate a PWC during rescue operations in a range of surf conditions Consistency in performance Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual or simulated surf conditions. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Context of assessment Competency should be assessed by completing PWC operations, exercises or scenarios. Specific resources for assessment Access is required to: equipment used in PWC rescue operations open water range of challenging surf conditions relevant to the area of operations |
Method of assessment | In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook. Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment. Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include: direct observation interviewing the candidate journals and workplace documentation third party reports from supervisors written or oral questions |
Range Statement
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. | |
Relevant logbooks may include: | Eeuipment service logs patrol/service logs, powercraft operations logs |
Operational feedback may include: | equipment damage new or variations to hazards in the local environment operational readiness of equipment |
Pre-operational checks may include: | correct operation of cooling system efficient starting of motor engine seating securely attached ensuring sufficient fuel for proposed operation |
Ancillary equipment may include: | flares first aid kit rescue handle rescue sled rescue tube throw bag two way radio |
Transport may include: | on beach/sand on roads towing with an ATV or 4WD |
Task information may include: | location of incident support available surveillance duty |
Communications systems may include: | mobile phone pager two-way radio networks |
Surf conditions may include: | calm water choppy large surf plunging shorebreak small surf |
Communicator: | club/service team member distressed swimmer member of the public radio operator |
Personal skills and limitations | experience in prevailing conditions knowledge of local area qualifications/licences held |
Operational base may include | communications centre lifesaver/lifeguard patrol service base |
Emergency procedures may include | capsize drill fire on board drill motor stopped |
Hazards may include: | adverse weather choppy water surface condition large surf marine creature people swimming rocks seaweed |
Rescue methods may include: | conscious casualty rescue leaving powercraft for a swimming rescue with a rescue tube reaching over the edge of the craft to haul casualty on board unconscious casualty rescue using a crew person during rescue |
Designated point may include: | shoreline open water location suitable for transfer to another vessel |
Casualty transfer may include: | transfer to another vessel transfer to land based team members for first aid transfer to medical aid transfer to shore |
Post-operational checks and maintenance may include: | correct operation of cooling system flushing motor refilling fuel running of motor |
Sectors
Not applicable.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
Not applicable.