ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCECRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

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

1. Determine rescue requirements and prepare for rescue.

1.1. Assess situation, identify hazards promptly, assess risks and manage to avoid injury to self and others.

1.2. Determine appropriate rescue methods and techniques for situation and according to needs of person to be rescued.

1.3. Select equipment required for single rope rescues.

1.4. Determine roles and responsibilities of others; complete a briefing and provide clear and concise instructions throughout rescue.

1.5. Implement rescue operations according to organisational policies and procedures for emergency response.

2. Establish systems for vertical rescues.

2.1. Determine need for use of mechanical advantage systems, identify and establish type appropriate for the rescue situation.

2.2. Select and rig or establish multiple anchors, ensuring equalisation and minimise potential for shock loading.

2.3. Promptly establish rescue systems required to raise and lower persons from a single pitch.

2.4. Rig single rescue rope to minimise effects of rope stretch and rub points and for efficient descent and ascent during rescue.

2.5. Establish belays suitable for rescue circumstance and to ensure personal safety during rescues.

2.6. Verify manufacturers' recommendations, equipment limitations and safety margins, and rig equipment accordingly.

3. Descend and ascend a pitch using single rope techniques.

3.1. Attach and adjust belay equipment to self and tie knots suitable for the established belay system.

3.2. Descend and ascend a fixed rope efficiently, using and adjusting techniques suitable for circumstances.

3.3. Safely approach, avoid or negotiate hazards to descend and ascend in a controlled manner.

3.4. Utilise techniques and equipment to adjust the single rope rig.

3.5. Choose optimum position and complete safe and efficient changeovers between descending and ascending.

3.6. Use techniques that minimise damage to equipment and the surface during activities.

4. Rescue others.

4.1. Establish communication with rescuee and provide clear and concise instructions and information throughout the rescue.

4.2. Operate rescue system to raise and lower persons from a single pitch.

4.3. Safely and efficiently escape a loaded belay system and transfer from belay device to direct connection to anchor.

4.4. Maintain safety of self, others and rescuee throughout rescue operations.

5. Rescue self.

5.1. Determine need for self rescue, assess situation and identify suitable techniques to resolve.

5.2. Anticipate hazards and utilise techniques to approach, avoid or negotiate throughout self rescue.

5.3. Implement extrication techniques to release from compromised situation.

5.4. Maintain personal safety throughout rescue operations.

6. Debrief and complete reports.

6.1. Participate in incident management debrief and identify future response improvements.

6.2. Complete required incident reports according to organisational procedures.

Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement.

SKILLS

DESCRIPTION

Reading skills to:

interpret detailed familiar organisational policies and procedures for emergency response.

Writing skills to:

record detailed and accurate factual information about rescue responses.

Numeracy skills to:

complete simple calculations and approximations of loads for anchors, ropes and pulleys

visually estimate distances to calculate lengths for ropes.

Teamwork skills to:

pro-actively and cooperatively work within teams of operational personnel to coordinate rescue logistics, solve arising problems and effect efficient rescues.

Self-management skills to:

critically analyse all circumstances and implications to coordinate a considered response to rescue requirements.