Release 2.  Updated superseded HLT Pre-requisite unit.

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

This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to perform land based swiftwater and floodwater rescues and recoveries as a member of a specialist team.

Swiftwater and floodwater recovery involves the rescue of persons from fast moving water in areas such as stormwater drains, canals, rivers and/or creeks. It involves the use of a variety of rescue techniques with suitably equipped responders entering the water.

The unit is applicable to personnel who may perform a narrow range of land based rescues from a swiftwater and/or floodwater environment while working under direct supervision.

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

HLTAID011 Provide First Aid

Search and Rescue

Not applicable

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1  

Prepare and respond to the rescue 

1.1 

Operation and task information is obtained from communication centre or supervisor

1.2 

Rescue equipment and/or resources are identified and selected based on incident information, as directed by supervisor

1.3 

Personal protective clothing and equipment is selected based on nature of the rescue operation

1.4 

Any further details on the nature of the rescue received en route is assessed with rescue team members

1.5 

Anticipated situational and environmental hazards are discussed with rescue team members whilst on approach

2 

Participate in assessing the rescue scene 

2.1 

Information is collected from relevant persons at the scene and observations are made to determine the location, number and condition of trapped casualties

2.2 

Situational and environmental hazards are identified and reported to supervisor

2.3 

Risk control procedures are implemented, as directed by supervisor

2.4 

Based on assessment of rescue scene personal capabilities and limitations are recognised and referred to supervisor

2.5 

Defensive and aggressive swimming techniques are used for self-rescue in event of accidental entry into swiftwater or floodwater

2.6 

Need for additional personnel and/or specialist equipment is reported through the chain of command

2.7 

Communication with other team members is maintained using appropriate techniques and terminology

3 

Participate in developing primary and secondary rescue plans 

3.1 

Rescue and recovery techniques suitable for casualties and vehicles in swiftwater and floodwater conditions are identified

3.2 

Primary and secondary rescue plans are formulated, in consultation with other team members and other organisations/agencies on site and is communicated to relevant personnel

3.3 

Equipment and resources required to perform land based rescues and recoveries in swiftwater and floodwater are identified and selected, in accordance with the rescue plan

3.4 

Deployment of the secondary rescue plan downstream is implemented

4 

Gain access and perform rescue on casualty 

4.1 

Isolation techniques are used to stabilise positioning of casualty to assist in extrication

4.2 

Land based rescue techniques and equipment are deployed, as identified in the rescue plan, to gain access to the casualty

4.3 

Casualty is extricated and or secured using appropriate rescue techniques and equipment

5 

Remove casualty from swiftwater and floodwater 

5.1 

Casualties are retrieved from swiftwater and floodwater using recognised techniques for removal, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.2 

Casualties are packaged and handled, in accordance with organisational emergency care procedures, or as directed by first aid or medical personnel

6 

Conclude swiftwater and floodwater rescue 

6.1 

Prior to leaving scene equipment is recovered, cleaned and maintained, in accordance with organisational procedures and manufacturers' guidelines

6.2 

During cleaning of rescue equipment and personal protective equipment hygiene precautions are followed, in accordance with organisational procedures

6.3 

Signs and symptoms of operational stress in self and others are recognised and reported to appropriate personnel

6.4 

Operational debriefing is participated in and documentation is completed, in accordance with organisational procedures and standards

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.

recognised techniques for removal must include

• manual carry
• spine board
• stretcher

This unit replaces and is equivalent to PUASAR033 Perform land based swiftwater and floodwater rescue and recovery.

Release 2.  Updated superseded HLT Pre-requisite unit.

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, performance criteria and range of conditions on at least one occasion and includes

• adapting to problems or issues that may arise during a swiftwater floodwater rescue and recovery to ensure safety of self and the team
• applying Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements
• assessing rescue scene
• communicating with other members of the rescue team, organisation and casualty
• completing documentation
• concluding swiftwater and floodwater rescue
• determining rescue and recovery methods and isolation techniques including using yell or talk and reach and throw strategies
• developing primary and secondary rescue plans
• gaining access and performing casualty rescue
• identifying and selecting rescue equipment and resources
• identifying changes in casualty condition and position
• identifying changes in water flow, currents, eddies and other hydrological features
• identifying suitable rescue and recovery techniques including reach rescue, throwing bag rescue and yelling to give safety or rescue directions
• packaging and handling casualties
• preparing and responding to a swiftwater and floodwater rescue
• providing basic first aid
• removing casualty from swiftwater and floodwater using recognised removal techniques
• selecting and using personal protective clothing and equipment
• selecting and using rescue equipment and resources in a variety of swiftwater and floodwater rescue and recovery situations
• swimming defensively and aggressively
• taking part in operational briefings and contributing to debriefings
• throwing rescue equipment to a swimmer in swiftwater and/or floodwater
• using equipment to reach a swimmer in swiftwater or flood water

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

• aggressive and defensive swimming techniques to escape hazards
• behaviour of vehicles trapped in swiftwater and floodwater
• care and maintenance of rescue equipment
• causality and/or patient packaging and handling
• communication and isolation techniques
• equipment characteristics and limitations
• facility emergency response plan
• first aid or medical personnel
• hazards and risks associated with land based swiftwater and floodwater rescues and recoveries including situational and environmental hazards
• knots and anchors
• operational briefing and debriefing procedures and processes
• organisational documentation, policies and procedures
• other organisations agencies and persons
• personal protective clothing and equipment
• principles of dynamic risk assessment
• psychological considerations of swiftwater and floodwater rescues and the potential need for support resources for the rescuer, casualty and onlookers
• rescue and recovery techniques including reach rescue, throwing bag rescue and yelling to give safety or recue directions
• rescue equipment and resources
• roles and responsibilities of rescue team members
• situational and environmental hazards
• swiftwater and floodwater entrapment
• swiftwater and floodwater hydrology and impact of weather on water flow
• techniques for removal
• water contaminants and their potential impact on the rescuer and casualty
• Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements including risk mitigation

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 currently used in industry including

• personnel for team based rescues
• rescue, recovery, safety, first aid and activity specific equipment and resources
• simulated swiftwater and floodwater location

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