Qualification details

Release 2.  Updated superseded HLT units and superseded BSB elective unit.

Release 1.  This is the first release of this qualification in the PUA – Public Safety Training Package.

The PUA30319 Certificate III in Public Safety (Aquatic Search and Rescue) is designed for participants performing aquatic search and rescue operations. Aquatic search and rescue personnel can participate in the search and rescue for missing persons either in the water, or on nearby land.

The role of an aquatic search and rescue team member is to prepare for search and rescue operations, recognise when a rescue response is required, perform complex patient rescues including the search and rescue of a missing person and demonstrate recovery and stand down processes. This may include undertaking patrol duties and surf awareness to be able to participate in lifesaving operations.

This qualification includes the units of competency required by aquatic search and rescue personnel to perform a range of activities such as responding to search and rescue incidents and undertaking recovery operations. It typically involves working as a team member, under guidance, in aquatic search and rescue operations.

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

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

A total of 11 units of competency comprising

• 6 core units  listed below; plus
• 5 elective units  from the general elective units listed

Choose a minimum of 3 elective units from the list below.

Choose the remaining 2 elective units from either the elective unit lists below or elsewhere within this training package or another endorsed training package or accredited course.

All elective units selected from outside this qualification must be from an equivalent qualification level or higher.

Elective units selected from outside the qualification must not duplicate content already covered by units in this qualification.

Where imported units are selected, care must be taken to ensure that all prerequisite units specified are complied with.

Prerequisites attached to any of the units must be obtained and are additional to the number of units required for this qualification.

Where a prerequisite is attached to a unit it is identified by the symbol ∟.

By default, all prerequisites listed with ∟ become part of the core and elective units of this qualification.

Core units  

HLTAID011

Provide First Aid

PUACOM001

Communicate in the workplace

PUAOPE013

Operate communications systems and equipment

PUASAR011

Search as a member of an aquatic search team

PUATEA004

Work effectively in a public safety organisation

PUAWHS002

Maintain safety at an incident scene

General elective units 

BSBTWK201

Work effectively with others

HLTAID013

Provide First Aid in remote or isolated site

HLTAID014

Provide Advanced First Aid

HLTAID015

Provide advanced resuscitation and oxygen therapy

∟ HLTAID011 Provide First Aid

PUACOM002

Provide services to clients

PUAEME003

Administer oxygen in an emergency

∟ PUAEME001 Provide emergency care

PUAEME004

Provide emergency care for suspected spinal injury

∟ HLTAID011 Provide First Aid

PUAEME005

Provide pain management

∟ HLTAID011 Provide First Aid

PUAEMR005

Treat operational risk

∟ PUAEMR006 Assess operational risk

PUAEMR006

Assess operational risk

PUAEQU001

Prepare, maintain and test response equipment

PUAOPE009

Navigate in an aquatic environment

PUAOPE010

Operate an automated external defibrillator in an emergency

∟ HLTAID011 Provide First Aid

PUAOPE012

Control a Level 1 incident

PUAOPE027

Undertake beach safety management activities

PUASAR014

Operate and maintain a small powercraft and motor for rescue operations

PUASAR015

Crew small powercraft in a rescue operation

PUASAR016

Operate and maintain a personal water craft for rescue operations

PUASAR017

Undertake advanced surf rescue

∟ PUACOM001 Communicate in the workplace

∟ PUASAR012 Apply surf awareness and self-rescue skills

∟ PUASAR013 Participate in an aquatic rescue operation

PUASES012

Work as a team member in an emergency operations centre

PUATEA002

Work autonomously

PUAVEH001

Drive vehicles under operational conditions

PUAWHS001

Follow defined work, health and safety policies and procedures

PMAWHS214

Undertake helicopter safety and escape

SISCAQU002

Perform basic water rescues

SISCAQU006

Supervise clients in aquatic locations

SISCAQU007

Perform advanced water rescues

∟SISCAQU002 Perform basic water rescues

∟HLTAID011 Provide First Aid

SISCAQU012

Assist participants with a disability during aquatic activities

This qualification replaces and is equivalent to PUA31312 Certificate III in Public Safety (Aquatic Search and Rescue)