This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to search for and locate lost persons and/or items as a member of a land search team.

The unit is applicable to individuals who are required to perform a land search as a member of a team, under the direction of a team leader, in a range of environments and conditions.

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

Prepare for land search

1.1

Operation and task information is obtained and assessed and safety briefing is received

1.2

Incident information is used to determine personal protective clothing and equipment needed for search operation, appropriate to search terrain

1.3

Land search equipment is identified, checked and packed for use in the expected terrain and conditions

2

Participate in search

2.1

Specified team roles and functions for search operations are carried out and safety briefing is conducted and/or attended

2.2

Search techniques are maintained, as specified by the search coordinator

2.3

Search boundaries are marked, in accordance with organisational procedures and task requirements

2.4

Observation skills are applied and any clues that locate persons or objects are reported immediately, in accordance with organisational procedures

2.5

Communication is maintained within the team, in accordance with organisational procedures

2.6

Personal capabilities and limitations are recognised and referred to the supervisor

3

Maintain search safety

3.1

Survival techniques are applied, as required

3.2

Search safety procedures are implemented, in accordance with organisational procedures

3.3

Lost searcher procedures are implemented, as required

4

Preserve scene

4.1

Supervisor is immediately advised of located persons or findings, in accordance with organisational procedures

4.2

Initial preservation procedures are implemented to maintain the integrity of evidence

4.3

Initial and/or ongoing scene preservation is conducted, in accordance with organisational procedures

5

Complete stand down procedures

5.1

Search equipment is recovered, cleaned and maintained, in accordance with organisational procedures and manufacturers' specifications

5.2

Operational debriefing is participated in and documentation is completed, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.3

Symptoms of operational stress in self and others is recognised and reported to appropriate personnel

5.4

Decontamination procedures are followed, in accordance with organisational procedures

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.

Not applicable

Search and Rescue