Modification History
Not Applicable
Unit Descriptor
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to undertake rescues in caves and pits, as an individual or as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Application of the Unit
This unit applies to those working as caving adventure guides, instructors or program managers. This may include those required to perform cave rescues individually or as part of a team.
This unit also applies to outdoor recreation leaders working for outdoor education or adventure providers; volunteer groups; not-for-profit organisations or government agencies.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
No licensing, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Pre-Requisites
SISOVTR402A Perform complex vertical rescues
Employability Skills Information
This unit contains employability skills.
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency |
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide. |
1. Prepare for cave rescue operation. |
1.1. Obtain and analyse operation and task information. 1.2. Select rescue equipment based on incident information and check to ensure it is ready for use. 1.3. Select and fit personal protective equipment according to the nature of the cave rescue operation and organisational policies and procedures . |
2. Assess and manage cave rescue. |
2.1. Assess physical features of cave rescue scene before deploying rescue resources according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 2.2. Assess, minimise and control immediate hazards and risks to self and others. 2.3. Manage rescue to control access and maintain a safe and effective operational environment according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 2.4. Establish and maintain communication with other personnel on site. 2.5. Select and co-ordinate a rescue method suitable to the situation. |
3. Determine location and condition of casualties. |
3.1. Assess incident scene and use appropriate equipment to determine possible location of casualties. 3.2. Collect and report evidence of location within cave. 3.3. Ascertain the condition of casualties and or nature of entrapment, where possible. |
4. Undertake cave rescue. |
4.1. Obtain entry permission and obtain additional relevant information before entering cave according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 4.2. Monitor atmosphere according to relevant organisational policies and procedures. 4.3. Implement appropriate ventilation procedures and use respiratory protection in irrespirable atmospheres, where required according to organisational policies and procedures. 4.4. Employ appropriate techniques and equipment to access the casualty. 4.5. Negotiate obstacles and hazards and maintain communication with other personnel and casualty throughout the rescue process. 4.6. Treat located casualties in consultation with medical personnel, according to organisational policies and procedures. 4.7. Remove casualties safely according to organisational policies and procedures. 4.8. Take appropriate actions to preserve the incident scene , where possible. |
5. Conclude rescue operations. |
5.1. Recover, clean and service equipment according to organisational policies and procedures and manufacturer's guidelines. 5.2. Report signs and symptoms of operational stress, where required. 5.3. Evaluate rescue activity and identify improvements for future rescue experiences in a cave. 5.4. Complete operational documentation according to organisational policies and procedures. |
Required Skills and Knowledge
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit. |
Required skills |
|
Required knowledge |
|
Evidence Guide
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package. |
|
Overview of assessment |
|
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
Evidence of the following is essential:
|
Context of and specific resources for assessment |
Assessment must ensure conduct of rescues in caves that are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance. Assessment must also ensure access to:
|
Method of assessment |
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
|
Range Statement
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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included. |
|
Rescue equipment may include: |
|
Personal protective equipment may include: |
|
Organisational policies and procedures may include: |
|
Relevant legislation may include: |
|
Hazards may include: |
|
Risks may include: |
|
Personnel may include: |
|
Evidence may include: |
|
Remove casualties may include: |
|
Preserve the incident scene may include: |
|
Operational documentation may include: |
|
Unit Sector(s)
Outdoor Recreation
Competency Field
Caving