Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to perform an aerial rescue where an injured or trapped climber is safely brought to ground from the tree. It is likely to be undertaken in an emergency situation.

The unit applies to individuals who work in arboriculture under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources and for solving problems.

The arboriculture industry requires that tree rescue work is undertaken according to preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume).

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

The prerequisite units of competency for this unit are:

• HLTAID011 Provide First Aid
• AHCARB319 Use arborist climbing techniques.

Unit Sector

Arboriculture (ARB)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.

Unit Mapping Information

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has conducted an aerial rescue for each of the following scenarios in a tree that is a minimum of 5 metres in height:

• a pole top rescue, where the casualty must be safely lowered to the ground without the assistance of other crew members and:

• is attached within 0.5 metres of the top of the pole
• is at least 5 metres from the ground

• a pick-off rescue without the assistance of other crew members in which the casualty must:

• be lifted out of their compromised or non-functioning climbing system
• be transferred to be lowered down on the rescuer's system or on another climbing system
• be at least 8 metres from the ground
• be lifted at least 1 metre prior to beginning descent

• a rescue where:

• the casualty is away from the main trunk of the tree, toward the end of a branch or in a different stem from the primary anchor point
• the rope angle between the casualty and the primary anchor point must be at least 30°
• the rescuer must either control the movement of the casualty back under the primary anchor point, or redirect the casualty's line to bring the casualty directly to the ground.

There must also be evidence that the individual has:

• confirmed resources for emergency rescue, including:

• communications for emergency services and work team
• first aid equipment, personnel, equipment and procedures
• emergency rescue and first aid equipment, protocols and procedures

• conducted a pre assessment of the rescue including:

• attempted communication with casualty
• assessed the tree and situation for hazards and risks and determined rescue plan
• sought assistance from emergency services where safe rescue could not be performed

• used tree climbing equipment to carry out rescue, including:

• accessed tree safely
• selected and installed anchor points
• installed redirects to achieve safe rope angle according to rescue requirements
• secured rescuer and casualty

• demonstrated the procedure for securing and assessing a severe casualty situation, including:

• assessed casualty injuries
• administered first aid above ground according to casualty condition
• arranged for emergency services

• demonstrated the procedure for rescuing a casualty, including:

• informed and prepared casualty decent
• descended tree safely in a controlled manner
• applied first aid on ground

• removed equipment used in rescue in a controlled manner and isolated and secured equipment for potential investigation
• cleaned and stored all equipment
• updated and maintained records of aerial rescue according to workplace and regulatory requirements.

Aerial rescue is required to be performed according to preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume).

Knowledge Evidence

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

• preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume) for aerial rescue
• emergency procedures for aerial rescues, including:

• planning for the event of an emergency
• dealing with emergencies
• emergency protocol, including stop work, activate rescue plan, inspect site for tree hazards, delegate crew roles, access tree, install anchor points, reach casualty, lower casualty, and transfer to emergency services
• accessing trees in emergency situations
• accessing and utilising emergency services

• assessing site-specific safety in emergency situations, including:

• methods for identifying risks
• risk control measures

• safety and procedures when conducting a rescue near overhead power lines, including:

• basics of electrocution
• power line types and insulation
• approach distances and safety zones, voltage and arcing
• tools, equipment, personnel and power line contact
• personal protective equipment

• administering first aid in an aerial rescue environment, including:

• first aid procedures
• contents and use of a first aid kit
• first aid in an aerial environment
• assessing neck and back injuries and procedures
• first aid on the ground following rescue
• importance of communication and reassurance of casualty

• communications in a rescue situation, including:

• emergency services communication systems
• emergency services contact numbers
• work team communication methods

• tools, equipment and other resources required for aerial rescue, including:

• appropriate placement of rescue equipment
• components of and use of rescue kits
• rescue personnel, equipment and rescue plan procedures

• controlling risk to rescuer, victim and others during an aerial rescue
• climbing and rigging systems for aerial rescue, including:

• pole top rescue
• pick-off rescue
• lifting moving or transferring casualties to alternate climbing systems
• ropes, knots and equipment for rescue climbing and rigging systems
• lifting and lowering systems
• cleaning, storing and maintaining safety kits and equipment

• workplace health and safety reporting procedures for accidents, incidents and rescue operations, including:

• site and equipment security for investigations
• mandatory records
• workplace records
• legislative responsibilities.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:

• physical conditions:

• the trees in which the types of rescue required for assessment can be demonstrated as stipulated in the performance evidence

• resources, equipment and materials:

• full arborist climbing kit
• emergency communications equipment
• personal protective equipment
• first aid and emergency response equipment

• specifications:

• workplace and manufacturer instructions for safe operation, cleaning and storing of rescue equipment
• preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume) for aerial rescue

• relationships:

• work team
• worker or rescue dummy as stipulated in the performance evidence.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards. In particular, assessors must have: In particular, assessors must have:

• arboriculture vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed
• current arboriculture industry skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed.

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72