Unit of competency details

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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. Plan and prepare for remote or isolated area.

1.1. Prepare for isolated or remote  travel or work is undertaken, accounting for identified contingencies

1.2. Ensure appropriate communication equipment  is selected to apply appropriate response in the given area

1.3. Obtain relevant first aid supplies to cover the identified contingencies of the area

2. Assess the situation.

2.1. Identify physical hazards  and minimise according to Occupational Health and Safety requirements, organisational policies and procedures  and the physical environment

2.2. Assess risks  to first aider and others and ensure appropriate response determined to take prompt control of situation

2.3. Ascertain the need for emergency services or medical assistance and prioritise triage where required

2.4. Ensure resources are deployed to appropriate locations as required in accordance with organisational policies procedures and the limitations of the physical environment

3. Manage the casualty.

3.1. Determine appropriate first aid management  and apply

3.2. Improvise and use first aid equipment as required

3.3. Monitor and respond to casualty's condition in accordance with effective first aid principles

3.4. Establish communication links to medical services to ensure prompt control action is undertaken

3.5. Undertake administration of medication  under medical instruction

3.6. Evaluate environmental conditions or casualty's condition  to determine the consideration of whether to transport casualty  to medical assistance or wait

3.7. Provide reassurance and support to casualty during the wait for medical assistance

3.8. Determine and ensure casualty's comfort by establishing and explaining the nature of illness or injury and the management procedures

3.9. Undertake shelter from the elements in accordance with environmental conditions

3.10.Monitor and document  the casualty's condition over time to assist in on-going management

3.11.Assist in the evacuation of the casualty by emergency services is provided as required

4. Coordinate first aid activities until arrival of medical assistance.

4.1. Identify available resources required

4.2. Establish communication links with appropriate personnel emergency management services and medical assistance as appropriate

4.3. Organise correct amount of resources to appropriate locations in an effective manner to ensure timely arrival of required resources

4.4. Document the provision of resources and modify as recommended

4.5. Monitor the management of casualties in accordance with first aid principles  and organisational policies and procedures

4.6. Coordinate evacuation of casualties according to organisational evacuation procedures

4.7. Arrange support services for personnel involved in the incident in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

5. Communicate essential incident details.

5.1. Maintain communication with relevant personnel using appropriate equipment

5.2. Communicate first aid information with other providers and professional carers as appropriate to meet their needs and in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

5.3. Communicate information calmly to reassure casualty, adopting a communication style to match the casualty's level of consciousness

6. Evaluate the incident.

6.1. Evaluate the management of the incident and develop an action plan in consultation with relevant parties, as required

6.2. Participate in debriefing or evaluation either by self or others to improve future operations and address individual's needs

6.3. Provide access to critical stress facilitators where required

6.4. Implement site management procedures and evaluate in accordance with risk assessment

6.5. Formulate and review contingency planning to identify and select alternative management plan and principles

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• resuscitation skills to safely provide first aid in a remote location, prior to further assistance arriving
• demonstration of first aid principles to ensure safe use of remote first aid in an emergency situation
• ability to adequately use infection control procedures to ensure the safe handling of casualty
• safe manual handling skills to ensure safety of casualty
• initial, secondary and ongoing casualty assessment to ensure ongoing safety of casualty, prior to further assistance arriving.
• prepare written incident report or written information to enable the writing of an incident report by supervisor or other staff member
• communication and interpersonal skills to:

• provide direction to group and other outdoor recreation leaders
• inform further assistance on situation and direction upon arrival

• incident management skills to safely manage and report situations
• ability to interpret and use listed documents to ensure correct reporting and first aid equipment
• problem-solving skills to:

• identify first aid situations and deal with them
• develop sustainable solutions that meet the needs of all stakeholders

• language and literacy skills to:

• read and analyse relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures
• document incident and incident reports, verbal and written
• communicate information to group, further assistance and other outdoor recreation leaders

• planning and organising skills to:

• plan further action
• monitor casualty, situation and group.

Required knowledge 

• basic anatomy, including the skeletal anatomy, muscles, joints and bones, to ensure correct use of first aid
• basic physiology to ensure first aid used correctly
• legal requirements to make correct decisions when applying first aid
• duty of care when applying first aid to clients
• care of unconscious to ensure correct treatment is used, without further damage
• State and territory regulatory requirements relating to currency of skill and knowledge to ensure remote first aid is kept up to date
• working knowledge of communication systems, equipment and methods used in remote locations
• knowledge of management option evaluation relating to transporting casualty
• knowledge of the first aid in a remote location principles in order to address contingencies specific to differing types of situations
• consideration of the welfare of the casualty and further actions to ensure safe welfare

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:

• manages a casualty is remote or isolated areas over multiple occasions.
• completes a resuscitation, safely providing first aid in a remote location, prior to further assistance arriving
• demonstrates first aid principles to ensure safe use of remote first aid in an emergency situation
• adequately uses infection control procedures to ensure the safe handling of casualty
• initial, secondary and ongoing casualty assessment to ensure ongoing safety of casualty, prior to further assistance arriving.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure providing first aid in a remote location by implementing relevant procedures, over differing situates over several occasions to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

• an outdoor environment or site which can be classified as a remote location
• documentation such as a written incident report or written information to enable the writing of an incident report by supervisor or other staff member.

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:

• direct observation of the candidate's ability to implement remote first aid
• oral and written questioning to assess knowledge of key aspects of remote first aid while completing an outdoor recreation activity
• third-party reports from a supervisor detailing evidence of the candidate's successful completion of remote first aid
• a portfolio of evidence of remote first aid for specific activities and settings.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

• HLTFA301A Provide first aid.

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.

Isolated or remote  may include:

• severity of injury
• time required for medical assistance to arrive
• movement might hinder rescue procedures

Communication equipment  may include:

• mobile phones
• satellite phones
• HF or VHF radio
• flags
• flares
• two way radio
• email
• electronic equipment
• calls
• radio
• hand signals
• whistles.

Physical hazards  may include:

• workplace hazards
• environmental hazards
• proximity of other people
• temperature extremes
• slippery or unstable terrain
• dangerous animals and insects
• group management hazards.

Organisational policies and procedures  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• staff responsibilities
• monitoring
• safety and emergency procedures
• risk management
• code of ethics.

Risks  may include:

• worksite equipment, machinery and substances
• environmental risks
• bodily fluids
• risk of further injury to the casualty
• risks associated with the proximity of other workers and by standers
• time to transport casualty and or equipment required for management of
• casualty's condition
• equipment failure.

First aid management  may include:

• workplace policies and procedures
• industry and site specific regulations and codes
• occupational health and safety requirements
• state and territory workplace health and safety requirements
• physical location in which first aid management is conducted
• location and nature of the workplace
• the environmental conditions for example electricity, biological risks,
• weather, motor vehicle accidents
• physical location in which first aid management is undertaken
• proximity of emergency services personnel
• number of casualties and potential casualties
• the use and availability of first aid equipment, resources and
• pharmaceuticals
• confined spaces, subject to industry need
• administration of analgesic gases
• cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• infection control
• relocations of dislocations
• semi-automatic external defibrillator (SAED)
• spinal evaluation or clearance

Medication  may include:

• pain relief - paracetamol in accordance with State and Territory
• legislation, analgesics)
• bronco-dilated drugs, in accordance with State and Territory legislation
• casualty with asthma usually has own medication, or found in first aid kit
• severe allergic reactions - adrenaline - subject to casualty's own regime
• heart attack - aspirin

Casualty's condition  may include:

• abdominal injuries
• allergic reactions
• bleeding
• burns:

• thermal
• chemical
• friction
• electrical

• cardiac conditions
• chemical contamination
• cold injuries
• crush injuries
• dislocations
• drowning
• envenomation:

• snake
• spider
• insect
• marine bites

• environmental conditions such as hypothermia, dehydration, heat stroke
• epilepsy, diabetes, asthma and other medical conditions
• expired air resuscitation (EAR)
• eye injuries
• fractures
• gastrointestinal problems
• genitourinary problems
• head injuries
• hyperventilation
• illicit drugs
• insect or marine bites
• minor skin injuries
• neck and spinal injuries
• needle stick injuries
• nose bleeds
• poisoning and toxic substances
• respiratory management of asthma and or choking
• shock
• smoke inhalation
• soft tissue injuries including sprains, strains, dislocations
• substance abuse
• unconsciousness including not breathing and no pulse.

Consideration of weather to transport casualty  may include:

• severity of injury
• time required for medical assistance to arrive
• movement might hinder rescue procedures

Documentation  may include:

• time
• fluid intake and output
• blood
• vomit
• faeces
• urine
• administration of medication including time, date, person administering

First aid principles  may include:

• checking the site for danger to self, casualty and others and minimising the danger
• checking and maintaining the casualty's airway, breathing and circulation