Unit of competency details

Release 

TP version 

Comments 

2

PUA12 V1

Layout adjusted.

1

PUA00 V8.1

First release in TGA.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency.

Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised  text is used, further information is detailed in the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare powercraft for operations 

1.1 Relevant logbooks  are reviewed for previous operational feedback  and pre-use information is completed as directed by operator in accordance with organisational requirements.

1.2 Pre -launch checks  to ensure operational readiness of craft and safety features are conducted at the direction of the operator in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines.

1.3 Prelaunch operational checks of auxiliary equipment  are completed and equipment is stowed.

1.4 Personal protective equipment (PPE) is obtained, applied or stowed as required.

2. Assist operator to transport powercraft 

2.1 Safe manual handling techniques are used to assist operator to transport  powercraft to launch site.

2.2 Operator is assisted to unload and position powercraft at water's edge.

2.3 PPE is secured, checked and stored correctly in powercraft.

3. Launch and stabilise powercraft through surf aquatic environment 

3.1 Own level of competence is conveyed to operator in relation to surf /aquatic environment conditions. 

3.2 Powercraft is lifted and dragged into water as directed by operator.

3.3 Powercraft is secured and positioned as required for surf/aquatic environment conditions.

3.4 Powercraft is boarded safely on operator command and a secure position  is assumed.

3.5 Position in powercraft  is changed at operator's direction to assist with maintaining trim and negotiating surf/aquatic environment conditions.

3.6 Lookout for hazards  in surf/aquatic environment is maintained and information concerning objects in the water is communicated to operator.

3.7 Assistance with beaching and stabilising craft is provided on return to shore as directed by operator.

4. Participate in emergency drills 

4.1 Emergency procedures  are implemented safely as directed by operator.

4.2 Assistance is provided with safe manoeuvring of powercraft without operational motor. 

5. Participate in rescue 

5.1 Casualty/object is retrieved using appropriate retrieval techniques  as directed by operator.

5.2 Basic patient care  of casualty is performed as required.

5.3 Casualty/object is secured for return to shore.

5.4 Casualty lift/object is removed from powercraft as directed by operator.

6. Assist with powercraft recovery and restore 

6.1 Safe manual handling techniques are used to assist operator with transport of craft to storage.

6.2 Powercraft is cleaned and stored in line with organisational procedures and as directed by operator.

6.3 Ancillary equipment is cleaned and restowed in accordance with organisational requirements and as directed by operator.

6.4 Operational documentation is completed as specified.

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

Required Skills 

• communicate effectively in the workplace
• complete required documentation
• constantly monitor hazards and apply safety principles
• crew boat confidently and safely
• rescue people and recover objects from the water
• safely handle casualty
• secure small boats using knots and lashings
• swim in the surf/aquatic environment in moderate conditions
• use recognised signals
• use rescue tubes

Required Knowledge 

• effects of wind, tide, swell and ocean floor on surf/aquatic environment conditions
• features and signs of rips, gutters, sweeps and currents
• local hazards and environmental threats
• local operating procedures and organisational standards
• organisational craft operating procedures
• organisational procedures for cleaning and discarding equipment in terms of environmental management and sustainability
• self-rescue techniques
• surf/aquatic environment awareness including beach safety zones
• surf/aquatic environment hazards
• surf/aquatic environment survival techniques
• types of waves and their characteristic features

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:

• perform a rescue
• safely load and manoeuvre a vessel

Consistency in performance 

Competency should be demonstrated over one or more exercises, scenarios or incidents to develop confident boat crewing.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Competency should be assessed by completing rescue boat operations, exercises or scenarios.

Exercises, simulations, or a series of tasks is required to demonstrate competence in this unit. This may involve setting scenarios to be completed by a rescue boat crew.

Evidence may be supplemented by questioning during and after an exercise, scenario or incident, hypothetical questioning and written or oral descriptions, or discussions or feedback during a debriefing.

Specific resources for assessment 

Access is required to:

• equipment used in rescue boat operations
• open water
• range of challenging surf/aquatic environment 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

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:

• Equipment 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-launch checks  may include:

• Checking handles and footstraps are secure
• Checking pressure of inflatable pontoons
• Ensuring no sharp areas
• Ensuring no wear

Auxiliary equipment  may include:

• Knife
• Paddles
• Rescue tube
• Tow rope
• Whistle

Transport  may include:

• Carrying craft
• Moving on a beach trolley
• Towing with an ATV or 4WD

Surf/aquatic environment conditions  may include:

• Calm water
• Choppy
• Large surf/aquatic environment
• Plunging shorebreak
• Small surf/aquatic environment

Secure position  includes:

• Grasping appropriate handles and placing feet in footstraps as required

Position in powercraft  may include:

• Crouching, standing when negotiating green or broken waves
• Laying on bow to avoid capsize
• Leaning in or out of craft to assist with turning
• Sliding back in craft when negotiating waves on return to shore
• Standard sitting position

Hazards  may include:

• Adverse weather
• Choppy water surface condition
• Large surf/aquatic environment
• Marine creature
• People swimming
• Rocks
• Seaweed

Emergency procedures  may include:

• Abandoning powercraft drill
• Acting as an outrigger in the event of motor failure in the surf/aquatic environment zone
• Fire on board powercraft drill
• Powercraft capsize drill

Manoeuvring of powercraft without operational motor  may include:

• Holding onto ropes while in the water to stabilise the craft and to avoid capsize
• Surfing the powercraft to shore with operator and crew acting as outriggers
• Swimming and repositioning the craft
• Using paddles

Retrieval techniques  may include:

• Leaving the powercraft for a swimming rescue with a rescue tube
• Reaching over the edge of the craft to haul casualty/object on board

Basic patient care  may include:

• Maintaining open airway
• Reassuring the patient
• Supporting the patient on return to shore