Unit of competency details

SISCAQU002 - Perform basic water rescues (Release 1)

Unit Of competency

Modification History

Not applicable.

Application

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to perform basic water rescues in indoor or outdoor aquatic venues.

The unit applies to all workers who may be required to perform basic water rescues in a range of situations, including swimming pools. Work is performed according to accepted best practice principles of aquatic rescues, relevant legislation and organisational policies.

Specific licensing requirements relating to this competency, including requirements for refresher training, should be obtained from the relevant state/territory work health and safety regulatory authority.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Competency Field

Aquatics

Unit Sector

Community Recreation

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENTS	PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
Elements describe the essential outcomes	Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.
1. Identify and evaluate aquatic emergencies.	1.1 Recognise signs and signals of a person in difficulty. 1.2 Assess situation to determine appropriate response in an aquatic emergency. 1.3 Identify and assess immediate hazards and risks to self and others.
2. Apply basic water rescue principles.	2.1 Determine rescue type required and promptly formulate a rescue plan. 2.2 Access and use available equipment, as required. 2.3 Perform basic water rescue techniques according to emergency needs using fitness and strength levels required in own work environment. 2.4 Delegate tasks when required. 2.5 Identify and promptly respond to issues that arise during the rescue. 2.6 Monitor the condition of the casualty and plan a course of action.
3. Communicate incident details.	3.1 Convey incident details accurately to emergency response services. 3.2 Report details of incident to workplace supervisor as appropriate. 3.3 Provide reassurance to bystanders as required. 3.4 Maintain confidentiality of records and information in line with statutory and/or organisational policies.

Foundation Skills

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

Unit Mapping Information

No equivalent unit.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.education.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=1ca50016-24d2-4161-a044-d3faa200268b

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Assessment requirements

Modification History

Not applicable.

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:

• identify, evaluate and respond to aquatic emergencies according to organisational and legislative requirements
• identify and respond to all of the following signs and signals:

• call for help
• vertical body position
• minimal or non-supportive leg action
• vigorous arm movements
• submerged or unconscious person

• perform the following non-swimming rescues:

• reach
• rope throw
• throw flotation aid

• perform the following swimming rescues demonstrating the fitness and strength to tow a person in difficulty at least 10 metres with their mouth and nose above water to a point of safety:

• accompanied
• wade
• non-contact tow
• contact tow

• incorporate appropriate adjustments for each of the above rescues to ensure safety of self and others.

Knowledge Evidence

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:

• legislation, organisational policies and procedures and industry standards in relation to:

• the safe conduct of water rescues
• accurate completion of incident documentation

• common signs and signals of a person experiencing difficulties in the water and possible contributing factors:

• call for help
• vertical body position
• minimal or non-supportive leg action
• vigorous arm movements
• submerged or unconscious person

• use and location of equipment types
• non-swimming rescue methods and techniques:

• reach
• rope throw
• throw flotation aid

• swimming rescue methods and techniques:

• accompanied
• wade
• non-contact tow
• contact tow

• issues that arise during rescues and appropriate adjustments to ensure safety of self and others
• communication systems used during rescues to inform managers, other employees and emergency services of progress
• potential dangers in a range of aquatic environments and how to respond.

Assessment Conditions

Skills must be demonstrated in:

• a workplace or simulated aquatic facility or environment such as an indoor pool, outdoor pool, or shallow water venue.

Assessment must ensure use of:

• pool safety equipment:

• flotation devices
• first aid facilities and equipment
• ropes
• suitable to perform a reach rescue

• participants to enable demonstration of all water rescue techniques and scenarios, these can be:

• participants in a workplace, or
• individuals who participate in project activities, role plays or simulated activities, set up for the purpose of assessment, within a training organisation.

Assessment activities that allow the individual to:

• demonstrate water rescue techniques and broader emergency responses in required emergency situation timeframes
• communicate with relevant personnel and emergency response services.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations’ requirements for assessors.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.education.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=1ca50016-24d2-4161-a044-d3faa200268b