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  Updated superseded HLT Pre-requisite unit.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 participate in rescue operations as a member of a rescue team; it underpins specialist rescue operations. This includes a wide range of rescue and environmental situations which may incorporate industrial, rural, bush and extreme environmental conditions.

Typically, personnel performing these roles have completed induction or recruitment training and are commencing work as a member of an operational team. They will work under supervision in a team but may be responsible for completing singular tasks relating to a rescue.

It is applicable to personnel from the emergency services, volunteer organisations and/or associated industries.

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

The fire sector is those sections of government departments, statutory authorities or organisations that have responsibility under jurisdictional arrangements for the delivery of firefighting and fire management services.

It is essential that the prerequisite units listed below are obtained prior to the issuance of this unit to individuals within the fire sector or the units contributing to the attainment of a fire qualification.

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 rescue 

1.1 

Rescue operation and task information is received through a briefing, in accordance with organisational procedures

1.2 

Rescue equipment is identified and selected based on incident information, as directed by the supervisor

1.3 

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

1.4 

Any further details on the nature of the rescue are received en route and acted on, in accordance with organisational procedures

1.5 

Anticipated hazards and associated risks are discussed with rescue team members while on approach to rescue operation

2 

Contribute to a risk assessment at the scene 

2.1 

Rescue scene assessment is conducted, and hazards and risks identified at the scene are reported to the supervisor

2.2 

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

2.3 

Hazards and environmental conditions are minimised and/or controlled using risk mitigation processes, as directed

2.4 

Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and security procedures are followed, in accordance with organisational policies and relevant legislation

2.5 

Need for additional personnel and/or specialist equipment is reported to the supervisor

2.6 

Casualties at scene are identified, reported to supervisor and action is taken, as directed

3 

Perform rescue 

3.1 

Access to incident and/or casualties is gained using techniques and equipment, in accordance with organisational procedures

3.2 

Rescue procedures are conducted, in accordance with organisational procedures and supervisor's instructions

3.3 

Casualties are prepared for removal and extricated safely using appropriate equipment, rescue techniques and procedures, whilst under the direction of appropriately trained personnel

3.4 

Incident scene is constantly monitored for hazards to prevent injury to self and/or others and reports are provided to the supervisor, as required

3.5 

Hygiene precautions are implemented, in accordance with organisational requirements

4 

Conclude rescue operations 

4.1 

Appropriate actions are taken to preserve the incident scene, in accordance with organisational procedures

4.2 

Equipment is recovered, cleaned and serviced, in accordance with organisational procedures and manufacturers' guidelines

4.3 

Hygiene precautions are implemented, in accordance with organisational procedures

4.4 

Decontamination procedures are followed, in accordance with organisational procedures

4.5 

Operational debriefing is participated in, in accordance organisational procedures

4.6 

Operational documentation including post incident reports is completed, in accordance with organisational procedures

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.

rescue operation must include at least one or more of the following

• confined spaces rescue
• flood rescue
• industrial rescue
• road crash rescue
• search and rescue
• swift water rescue
• trench rescue
• vertical rescue

rescue equipment must include at least one or more of the following

• fire extinguishers
• glass management kit
• hand tools
• ladders
• lighting equipment
• powered tools (battery, electric and fuel) such as

• air bags
• chain saws
• cutting tools
• drills
• excavating tools
• hydraulic tools
• pneumatic equipment
• winches

• rescue vehicles
• ropes
• stretchers
• tarpaulins

This unit replaces and is equivalent to PUASAR022A Participate in a rescue operation.

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

• applying safe work practices in rescue operations
• applying Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Organisational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements
• completing organisational documentation which can include incident reports, notebooks and logbooks
• concluding rescue operations
• contributing to a risk assessment at the scene
• following organisational policies and procedures
• identifying and monitoring hazards
• identifying, recording, preparing and extricating causalities
• identifying, selecting and using rescue equipment
• implementing hygiene precautions
• implementing risk mitigation processes
• implementing security procedures
• participating in and contributing to briefings and debriefings
• performing rescues
• preparing and responding to rescue
• preserving evidence at scene
• recognising types of hazards including situational and environmental hazards including adverse weather, insufficient light, difficult terrain, heights and still and moving bodies of water, damaged utilities and infrastructure including electricity, gas, water, rubble and debris, hazardous materials and atmospheres and mobile hazards including traffic and wild and domestic animals
• removing, cleaning and maintaining equipment
• reporting injuries and accidents to relevant personnel
• responding and reacting to instructions in a safe, correct and timely manner
• selecting and wearing personal protective clothing and equipment
• undertaking rescue scene assessment and monitoring
• using communication methods, techniques and terminology

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 and includes knowledge of

• capabilities and limitations of rescue equipment
• casualty handling techniques
• communication methods and techniques including signals and signs
• hygiene precautions including avoiding contact with body fluids, washing hands and wearing protective clothing
• manual handling techniques
• organisational documentation which may include incident report, notebook and logbook
• organisational policies and procedures
• personal protective clothing and equipment
• personnel roles and responsibilities including other trained personnel that may support a rescue operation
• procedures for reporting injuries and accidents
• processes and procedures for briefings and debriefings
• ropes and knots
• trained personnel
• types of environmental hazards
• Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements including risk mitigation and safe work practices

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