PUASAR029A
Undertake a complex transport rescue

This unit covers the competency required to gain access to and extricate entrapped casualty/s from transport such as trains, trams, light aircraft (as defined by CASA) and self propelled heavy plant while minimising the potential for further injury and preserving the integrity of evidence. This unit requires the responder to access entrapped casualty/s using a range of techniques and to operate specialist equipment to undertake the rescue.This unit is designed to build on the skills and knowledge acquired in the competency PUASAR024A Undertake road crash rescue to extend the capability of a rescuer to perform rescues from trains, trams, light aircraft and self propelled heavy plant.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Application

This unit applies to a member of a rescue team.

This unit may be customised to suit a range of complex transport incidents based on an organisational risk profile.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for complex transport rescue

1.1 Operation and task information is obtained and assessed upon call out.

1.2 Appropriate rescue resources are identified and selected based on incident information, received and checked to ensure they are ready for use.

1.3 Personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing are selected based on nature of transport and type of collision.

1.4 Systematic approach to identifying potential hazards and associated risks is undertaken en route and on approach to the incident.

2. Establish and maintain rescue scene safety

2.1 Communication and ongoing liaison with rescue team members on site is established.

2.2 Liaison with otherrelevant personnel is established and maintained.

2.3 Rescue scene reconnaissance and size up is conducted.

2.4 Situational and environmental hazards are identified, analysed, evaluated and treated, marked and monitored.

2.5 Rescue team is positioned taking into account potential dangers, requirements for personnel and vehicles to access the scene, and limitations of operating equipment.

2.6 Functional areas are established to support operations.

2.7 Warning devices are placed at appropriate distances from the scene to alert to approaching traffic of hazards or adverse road conditions.

2.8 Safe work area is established to protect casualty/s, emergency services personnel and members of the public.

2.9 Preventative action is taken to minimise the risk of fire or other potential hazards, where required.

2.10 Impact effects on transport and potential impact effects on casualty/s are assessed.

2.11 Techniques and equipment are employed to stabilise the transport and to make the incident site safe.

2.12 Scene lighting is established to reduce hazards associated with type of incident.

2.13 Specialist rescue resources are accessed based on the assessment of the incident.

3. Gain access to casualty/s

3.1 Hygiene precautions are implemented in accordance with organisational requirements.

3.2 Techniques and equipment are used to gain access to entrapped casualty/s within the vehicle/s.

3.3 Primary survey of casualty is undertaken to determine injury type and severity.

3.4 Injuries are confirmed that may complicate removal of the casualty/s from the vehicle and appropriate action is taken.

3.5 In the event of multiple casualties, triage assessment is undertaken to determine priorities for medical treatment and for extrication.

3.6 Need for additional personnel and/or specialist equipment is requested.

3.7 Support is provided to medical personnel assisting with the treatment of the entrapped person/s as required.

4. Extricate casualty/s

4.1 Casualty/s are protected from injury during extrication.

4.2 Treatment of located casualty/s is undertaken in consultation with medical personnel and in accordance with organisational policies.

4.3 Rescue techniques and equipment used by the rescue team take into account transport design, materials and safety features that may impact on the extrication.

4.4 Casualty/s are removed using recognised techniques and equipment.

4.5 Located casualty/s are released, treated and stabilised.

4.6 Evidence of casualty identity is collected and processed in accordance with organisational procedures.

4.7 Appropriate actions are taken to preserve the incident scene where possible for evidentiary purposes.

5. Conclude rescue operations

5.1 Equipment is recovered, cleaned and serviced according to manufacturers' guidelines and organisational standards.

5.2 Fatigue and operational stress of team members is monitored and action taken to address identified issues.

5.3 Signs and symptoms of operational stress in self and others are reported to relevant personnel.

5.4 Operational debrief is attended and documentation is completed to organisational standards.

5.5 Hygiene precautions are implemented in accordance with the organisational procedures.

5.6 Exposure records are completed.

Required Skills

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

Required Skills

apply transport stabilisation techniques

establish functional areas

extricate casualties safely

handle stretchers safely

implement safety procedures for 'height safety operations' in accordance with organisational procedures

isolate transport utilities

operate equipment to access entrapped casualty/s in accordance with organisational procedures

undertake a primary survey

wear PPE and clothing in accordance with organisational requirements

work within the responsible agency's command and control structure

Required Knowledge

complex transport design and safety features

capabilities and limitations of rescue equipment

command and control structure

electrical hazards

hazard identification and dynamic risk assessment recording

hazardous materials procedures

hygiene precautions relative to biological contamination

injury prevention and minimisation

manual handling

organisational procedures for cleaning and discarding equipment in terms of environmental management and sustainability

primary survey

procedures for gaining access to entrapped casualties in different types of complex transport

procedures for preservation of integrity of evidence

procedures for reporting injuries and accidents

relevant legislation

safe work practices

scene assessment procedures

sectorisation

situational and environmental hazards

specific emergency entrance and exit procedures (doors/windows)

standard operating procedures

symptoms of physical/emotional stress

systematic approach

team stretcher handling procedures

types of personal protective clothing and equipment

types of collisions

Evidence Required

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

apply a systematic approach to a complex transport rescue and to implement safe work practices throughout the incident

safely and effectively gain access to entrapped casualties using techniques relevant to the type of complex transport rescue impact

operate equipment to gain access to entrapped casualties in accordance with organisational procedures

maintain situational awareness and be alert to environmental and situational hazards

work effectively as a member of a rescue team

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual and/or simulated workplace environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in an industry-approved simulated and/or workplace environment.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

simulation of a range of potentially complex transport mediums and their infrastructure

equipment, personnel, facilities etc. appropriate to a complex transport rescue incident training exercise

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.

Task information may include:

environmental and other hazards at the scene

incident location and exact location of vehicles involved

other public safety organisations at the scene or en route

time of day and traffic obstructions caused by collision

types and number of vehicles involved and potential number of casualties

wind direction

Rescue resources may include:

air operated equipment

ancillary equipment such as:

airbag restraints

stretchers

elevated platforms

hot cutting equipment

electrical equipment

hand tools

hydraulic equipment

lifting and hauling equipment

rescue units and stowed equipment

stabilisation equipment

tool boxes

Personal protective equipment and clothing may include:

boots

eye protection

gloves

hearing protection

helmets

knee/elbow protection

helmet

Nature of transport may include:

heavy plant e.g. bulldozers

light aircraft

trains

trams

Types of collision may include:

heavy plant:

roll over

impact with stationary object

light aircraft:

on take off and landing

mid-air collision (impact into rural/urban environment)

collision with structure

trains/trams:

derailment

roll over

impact with another train

impact with electrical infrastructure

level crossing

Systematic approach must include:

assessment i.e. on call out and response, en route, scene, liaison, casualties

positioning of vehicle i.e. dangers, access and casualties

procedures i.e. dangers, casualty protection, extrication, warning devices and lighting

Potential hazards and associated risks may include:

downed powerlines

fuel

hazardous materials

overhead hazards

stability and position of vehicles involved

traffic in and around the incident location

unstable ground

Communication may include:

radio communications (radio, telephones and information technology)

warning signals

Other relevant personnel may include:

ambulance officers

company personnel

emergency services personnel

police

technical specialists

utility technicians

vehicle passengers

Rescue scene reconnaissance may include:

collecting relevant information about casualty/s and hazards

isolating and eliminating utilities

surveying the incident scene

Situational and environmental hazards may include:

biological hazards such as body fluids and tissue

climate

composite fibres

dangerous goods and hazardous substances

different types of surfaces

dust and wind

noise and vibration

overhead hazards such as falling debris, power lines

pressurised containers

pyrotechnic safety device

structural instability

sharp and jagged objects

water and/or foam run off and oil

Treating hazards may include:

eliminating the hazard

isolating the area/source

stabilising overhead hazards

using atmospheric monitoring equipment

using ppe and clothing

Potential dangers to be considered when positioning the rescue unit may include:

downed power lines in the vicinity of the vehicle

down wind of contaminants

fuel

hazardous materials and locations where they collect

oncoming traffic

stability and position of transport involved

traffic in and around the incident location

Accessing the scene must include:

allowing clear access and egress for other responding vehicles and ambulances

establishing a clear area to manoeuvre personnel, stretchers, charged hose lines and other equipment

placing rescue vehicle at an appropriate distance

specialist transport to move the equipment/personnel

Limitations of operating equipment may include:

access to incident site

equipment capacities and limitations

working on uneven and soft ground

Functional areas may include:

debris collection

decontamination

equipment

personnel staging

triage

Warning devices may include:

flashing lights

traffic warning cones

Impact effects on transport may include:

damage to onsite hazardous infrastructure

frame deformation

occupant cell/s

structural integrity

supporting infrastructure

Impact effects on casualty/s may include:

effect of types of collisions on the human body

crush syndrome

trauma

Stabilising the transport may include:

chains, slings and winches

hydraulics

monitoring stabilisation

re-establishing mechanical braking systems

using step chocks and cribbing blocks

Hygiene precautions may include:

avoiding contact with body fluids and tissue

decontaminating equipment at scene and placing protective clothing and gloves in a sealed bag for special dry cleaning

establishing decontamination areas

using correct personal protective clothing and equipment

using surgical gloves under protective work gloves

Gaining access to entrapped casualty/s may include:

accessing doors

accessing emergency exits

accessing front

accessing roof

accessing side

managing electrical supplies

managing glass

removing debris

Primary survey:

is a methodical process used to quickly identify immediate life threatening injuries and conditions that require intervention

should be completed promptly upon initial patient contact if no immediate life threatening injuries and conditions requiring intervention are found during the survey

should be completed as soon as possible if it is interrupted

should only be interrupted when:

life threatening condition is identified and immediate life saving interventions are initiated

scene conditions require that the patient be moved immediately due to danger to first emergency care responders or the patient

Treating located casualty/s may include:

assist medical personnel with patient triage if required

cervical collar

first aid

primary/secondary survey

respiratory protection, if required

Transport design may include:

heavy reinforced compartment cell

maintaining body rigidity

major components such as frame (chassis), body parts, doors, windows, glass, seats, trim, removable panels, additional fittings and equipment, steering columns and wheels

light framed composite material

new safety systems

two storey transport

Recognised techniques may include:

casualty packaging

team stretcher handling

Equipment for removing casualty/s may include:

rescue/spine board

stretchers appropriate for packaging in a range of situations

Preserving the incident scene must include:

disturbing only to gain access or make scene safe

not disturbing fatality scenes until police investigation activities are completed

preserving integrity of evidence

Recovering, cleaning and servicing of equipment may include:

checking inventories

cleaning or disposing of contaminated clothing and equipment

inspecting equipment for damage and serviceability

Signs and symptoms of operational stress may include:

anxiety

critical incident stress

fatigue

flashbacks

highly emotional behaviour

physical discomfort

poor concentration

sleep disturbances

Debriefing may include:

critical incident stress debriefing

operational analysis

performance evaluations

Documentation may include:

AIRS/coroner report

notebooks completed

operational debrief

Hygiene precautions may include:

avoiding contact with body fluids

decontaminating equipment and personnel

washing hands

wearing appropriate protective clothing

Exposure records may include:

reporting form that documents any exposure that may result in a short- or long-term associated injury such as:

hazardous substances, such as dust, vapours, fumes, radiation and chemical substances

heavy repetitive work over long periods of time

lifting heavy loads

noise

psycho-social hazards (e.g. critical incident stress)


Sectors

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.