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

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to conduct air search observation duties during an air search operation in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.

The unit is applicable to members of air search and rescue teams working in the air. Team members and crews may be members of a range of government or non-government organisations and/or agencies.

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

Not applicable.

Aviation Marine Search and Rescue

Aviation Marine Search and Rescue

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1  

Prepare for search operations 

1.1 

Operational briefing is obtained from relevant search and rescue authority

1.2 

Aircraft is configured and loaded, in accordance with requirements and pilot in command instructions

1.3 

Involvement in briefings is undertaken, in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

1.4 

Incident information is used to determine personal equipment needed for search operation

2 

Conduct search operations 

2.1 

Scanning distance is identified

2.2 

Search briefing is reviewed en route to task area

2.3 

Impediments to effective observation techniques are identified and appropriate adjustments are made

2.4 

Observation technique is applied to ensure effective scanning of identified area of interest

2.5 

Search equipment is operated to maximise sighting and identification effectiveness

3 

Investigate sightings 

3.1 

Sightings are reported and maintained

3.2 

Sightings are investigated

3.3 

Sightings are logged and communicated to relevant search and rescue authority

4 

Communicate outcome search 

4.1 

Emergency signals from target are identified and recognised

4.2 

Communications are logged and reported to relevant search and rescue authority

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

This unit replaces and is equivalent to PUAAMS002B Search as a member of an air search team and PUAAMS002A Search as a member of an air search team.

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

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and includes

• applying organisational policies and procedures including Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements
• communicating information clearly within the search team
• conducting search operations
• investigating sightings
• making decisions based on available information
• preparing for search operations
• selecting and using available technology appropriate to the search task

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and includes knowledge of

• aircraft configuration
• communication techniques
• factors which may indicate evidence of a search target
• observation techniques and procedures including impediments to effective observation techniques
• organisational documentation, policies and procedures including WHS/OHS legislated requirements and risk mitigation
• physiology of sight
• search and rescue authorities
• search planning including search equipment
• signals and/or message equipment and procedures

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment must include access to

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations
• relevant and appropriate materials, equipment, tools and personal protective clothing and equipment including

• appropriate training facility and an aircraft used in industry

• applicable documentation including organisational procedures, industry standards, equipment specifications, regulations, codes of practice and operations manuals