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 for surf awareness, self-rescue techniques and safely participating in activities in a surf environment.

Participating in any potentially hazardous aquatic operation will require the effective application of a variety of surf skills and self-rescue techniques. Competence in this unit will include appropriate application of surf awareness surf skills and self-rescue techniques in a surf environment and will require the practical and effective application of skills in a real or simulated activity in a surf environment.

The unit is applicable to lifesavers, lifeguards, search and rescue officers or other rescue personnel who are required to perform or participate in activities in a surf environment.

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

Not applicable.

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  

Apply knowledge of the surf environment 

1.1 

Potential hazards and environmental conditions of the surf environment are identified, risks are assessed and control measures are implemented

1.2 

Characteristics of different types of waves and their impact on surf safety are identified

1.3 

Distinguishing features of rips, gutters and sweeps are identified

1.4 

Different types of beaches and the safety aspects of the beach structure are identified

2 

Apply surf skills and techniques 

2.1 

Techniques for survival in the water are implemented

2.2 

Personal safety is observed and environmental hazards are avoided while in the water

2.3 

Hand and flag signals are used, in accordance with organisational procedures

3 

Implement self-rescue techniques 

3.1 

Surf is negotiated in prevailing conditions, with and without flotation devices

3.2 

Return to shore, in prevailing conditions, is undertaken with and without flotation devices

3.3 

Strategies when not able to self-rescue or return to shore unassisted are implemented

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 PUASAR012C Apply surf awareness and self-rescue skills.

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 situational awareness of the surf environment, surf skills and techniques
• applying Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements including implementing risk control measures
• completing risk assessments
• following organisational policies and procedures
• identifying hazards and environmental conditions
• identifying surf conditions and factors that affect these conditions
• implementing self-rescue techniques
• negotiating and returning through surf
• paddling surf craft and using rescue tube
• recognising potential hazards and environmental risks
• recognising types of beaches, waves and distinguishing features of rips, gutters and sweeps when selecting a suitable surf location
• swimming in the surf, in moderate conditions
• using personal safety techniques, recognised signals and survival techniques

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

• effects of wind, tide, swell and ocean floor on surf conditions
• environmental conditions including prevailing conditions
• features and signs of rips, gutters, sweeps and currents
• hand and flag signals
• organisational documentation, policies and processes
• personal safety and situational awareness
• self-rescue techniques
• strategies to use when not able to self-rescue
• surf awareness including beach safety zones
• surf hazards including environmental hazards
• techniques for survival including surf survival techniques
• types of crafts including floatation devices
• types of waves and their characteristic features
• 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 other simulations including

• participating in lifesaving activities or in a simulated environment under a range of weather conditions

• relevant and appropriate materials, tools, equipment and personal protective clothing and equipment currently used in industry including

• a beach with prevailing conditions appropriate to the level of activity
• suitable surf craft and rescue tubes

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