Unit of competency details

Release

TP version

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PUA12 V1

Layout adjusted.

1

PUA00 V8.1

First release in TGA.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency.

Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised  text is used, further information is detailed in the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare for search 

1.1 Interviews  and site assessment  are conducted to establish an appropriate search strategy. 

1.2 Risks  contained in the search area are identified and assessed, and appropriate safety procedures are implemented.

1.3 Adjustments are made where appropriate to search strategy in accordance with any changes in environmental conditions , search progress, any other relevant information that becomes available and current rescue work being undertaken.

2. Handle and control canine 

2.1 Work is undertaken with canine in a safe and appropriate manner. 

2.2 Control of canine is maintained  at all times.

2.3 Willingness to work independently  is demonstrated by canine.

2.4 Commands are responded to by canine in the presence of distractions. 

2.5 Assistance  is provided to canine where appropriate.

3. Conduct search 

3.1 Canine is deployed off lead and appropriate actions , indications and characteristics  to ensure search area is covered effectively are demonstrated by canine.

3.2 Location of and commitment to live human scent is demonstrated by canine.

3.3 Location of live human scent with a bark alert is correctly indicated  by canine during a search on a simulated collapse site.

3.4 Actions, indications and characteristics of the canine to correctly identify the presence of live human scent are correctly interpreted.

3.5 Location of live human scent is correctly interpreted by canine search specialist.

3.6 Search areas are covered within required timeframe. 

4. Provide search debriefing 

4.1 Relevant information  is recorded accurately in accordance with legislative and jurisdictional requirements.

4.2 Sketch of search area  is provided on completion of search.

4.3 Recommendations  are provided to relevant personnel  on completion of the search.

5. Maintain canine welfare and safety 

5.1 Appropriate care/safety/welfare for the canine and self is demonstrated in accordance with relevant legislation , policy and guidelines. 

5.2 Basic care  of canine is implemented.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills 

• adjust handling strategies in response to changing environments
• adjust search strategies in response to changing environments
• carry out and interpret verbal instructions
• collect, analyse and organise information to develop an effective search strategy
• control a canine off lead including in public locations
• demonstrate appropriate commands when handling a canine
• handle a canine to maintain control and prevent accidents or injury to self and/or other/s including members of the public
• interpret the actions and indications given by a canine
• maintain physical fitness
• make sound decisions in rapidly changing and often high risk environments
• manage time and priorities in response to changing environments
• work with other canine search teams

Required Knowledge 

• alert behaviours of canines and their causes such as the bark alert (spontaneous repetitive barking for twenty seconds barking, which may be interspersed with digging and attempts to penetrate)
• Australian Urban Search&Rescue Canine Capability Best Practice Guideline
• biological and infectious hazards and safe management, particularly involving human remains
• canine olfactory system
• capabilities of canines working within USAR operations
• disaster victim identification principles and phases of operation
• canine behaviour
• canine physiology
• canine psychology
• factors used to determine appropriate search strategies
• INSARAG structural and victim marking systems
• organisational occupational health and safety (OH&S) legislation as it applies to urban search and rescue
• organisational task force policies and procedures
• principles of canine training including control, association, repetition, commands, rewards, correction and positive motivational methodologies
• risk analysis
• safe working systems to reduce canine related incidents
• scent theory and its application to the USAR environment such as commitment to live human scent (very good penetration drive, being committed to the scent, not leaving victim location)
• USAR canine search methods and techniques

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

• follow the Australian Urban Search&Rescue Canine Capability Best Practice Guideline
• implement USAR canine search methods and techniques
• handle a canine to maintain control and prevent accidents or injury to self and/or other/s including members of the public
• apply emergency first aid techniques for canines
• only accompanying the canine on the rubble pile when find is indicated or when directed by the assessor
• conduct four searches within a 24 hour period; two searches must be conducted consecutively

Consistency in performance 

Competency should be demonstrated over time under a range of conditions that would be expected in the workplace.

The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised  wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Interviews  must include questions that determine:

• time of the structural collapse
• type of occupancy of the structure (school, office, apartment, building, etc.)
• number of suspected missing
• if structure has been searched before
• if structural engineer has checked the building and findings
• if structure is safe to enter
• if blueprints are available
• if HAZMAT has checked the area and findings
• if utilities have been isolated, how and by whom
• if heavy rescue is available
• if medical is available
• if a veterinarian is available

Site assessment techniques  may include:

• identifying any exclusion zones
• identifying hazards
• incident action plan
• prevailing wind and weather conditions
• results of initial reconnaissance

Search strategy  must include:

• delineation of primary and secondary search areas based on:

• information gathered from interview/s
• site assessment

Risks  may include:

• climatic conditions
• distractions
• lighting
• other animals present
• protruding objects
• slippery floors
• steps
• terrain and obstacles to be traversed

Environmental conditions  may include:

• building configuration and size
• cold
• heat
• rain
• time delay
• wind

Safe and appropriate manner  may include:

• canine search team being confident, calm and methodical
• canine working off lead
• managing canine in unsafe and high risk environments
• working in accordance with relevant legislation, policy and guidelines

Maintaining control  may include:

• recalling the canine
• canine being responsive to direction controls
• canine responding to an emergency stop
• canine directing away from canine search specialist on command

Working independently  may include:

• canine working at a distance from canine search specialist
• canine working out of sight of canine search specialist

Distractions  may include:

• noises such as:

• running generators
• machinery
• rescue tools

• other distractions such as:

• personnel
• smoke
• food

Assistance  may include:

• assisting canine to traverse difficult obstacles
• guiding canine
• helping canine onto unstable elevated surfaces
• intervening to prevent accident or injury to the canine
• providing motivation and support where necessary, however during an alert, support and motivation can only be provided after the canine has initiated the bark alert
• stopping and restarting the search
• taking appropriate breaks, rest and water

Canine actions, indications and characteristics  must include:

• ability to handle any distractions that may occur
• ability to work scent cones
• canine does not avoid obstacles
• canine identifies live human scent with a bark alert
• canine searches independently of canine search specialist
• canine traverses all surfaces efficiently
• canine covers search site as directed
• high levels of search drive/eagerness/willingness to work

Canine actions indications and characteristics  may include:

• false alert
• passive alert behaviours

Correctly indicating location of live human scent with a bark alert  must include:

• canine remaining at location of victim after indication of scent
• canine search specialist notifying assessor of find

Required timeframe  is defined as:

• twenty minutes to search each search area after the completion of the briefing

Relevant information to be recorded  may include:

• details of areas searched
• details of search and its conclusion
• potential victim locations and any influencing factors
• unidentified hazards

Sketch of search area  must include:

• alert locations
• compass orientation
• prominent features

Recommendations  may include:

• alternate search strategies (such as technical search, additional canine resources)
• improving search processes
• potential extrication points for victims

Relevant personnel  may include:

• member of incident management team
• other canine search specialists
• USAR canine search team leader

Legislation, policy and guidelines  may include:

• Australian Standards
• Australian Urban Search & Rescue Canine Capability Best Practice Guideline
• guidance notes
• national codes of practice
• organisational policies and procedures
• state/territory and federal animal welfare legislation
• state/territory occupational health, safety and welfare legislation and regulations

Basic care  must include:

• examining pads, webbing, toes, nails and bones of the foot of the canine
• irrigating canine's eyes in an appropriate manner
• treating minor injuries and contamination such as cuts, abrasions, foreign bodies, torn nails, fractures, sprains, irritant substances