Unit of competency details

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. Determine rescue requirements.

1.1. Assess  situation to determine appropriate response to dive incident , according to industry technical and safety criteria , relevant legislation  and organisational policies and procedures .

1.2. Identify and assess immediate hazards  and risks to self and others .

1.3. Determine the type of rescue  required and formulate a rescue plan according to industry technical and safety criteria, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

2. Apply diver rescue or rescues.

2.1. Access equipment  as required.

2.2. Perform underwater search techniques  to recover diver or divers.

2.3. Administer action  and perform rescue or rescues in simulated dive incidents.

2.4. Monitor the condition of the diver or divers and provide appropriate treatment  according to industry standards  and organisational policies and procedures.

3. Use supplemental oxygen.

3.1. Ensure that prepared oxygen equipment  meets oxygen use standards  and industry technical and safety criteria.

3.2. Comply with the standards specified in the Dangerous Goods Regulations (Class 2 - Gases) while using oxygen.

3.3. Demonstrate that the administration of supplemental oxygen complies with industry technical and safety criteria.

4. Evaluate diver rescues.

4.1. Evaluate relevant aspects of the rescue or rescues.

4.2. Identify improvements for future diver rescue experiences.

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

Required skills 

• problem-solving skills to:

• identify factors leading to diving incidents
• assess and evaluate emergency situations
• determine search and rescue techniques to perform according to the situation

• communication skills to alert others where possible and to provide reassurance to diver
• planning and organising skills to devise a mental rescue plan under pressure after assessing the situation
• observation skills to identify diving emergencies and to monitor condition of diver
• fitness, strength and diving skills to perform underwater search and rescues in open water of up to 18 metres deep
• first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response to emergencies and personal health care.

Required knowledge 

• legislation, organisational policies and procedures, industry technical and safety criteria and industry standards to enable safe conduct of rescues
• communication systems used during rescues to inform of progress
• potential hazards and risks in open water to enable safe conduct of rescues
• principles of search and rescue techniques to perform suitable to dive incident and situation
• first aid, emergency and rescue procedures appropriate to the conditions to ensure risk minimisation.

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:

• assesses the dive situation for hazards and risks to self and others before formulating a suitable rescue plan
• identifies and applies underwater search and rescue techniques according to the situation
• monitors diver's condition and applies first aid treatment according to industry criteria, organisational policies and procedures and relevant legislation
• evaluates and reflects on search and rescue performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple open water rescue activities that are of a sufficient duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

• an open water SCUBA dive site suitable for simulated dive rescues
• suitable participants to take part in underwater rescues
• a suitable diving boat, if required
• dive, navigation and search and rescue equipment.

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:

• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of emergency diving situations and open water rescues
• observation of safe demonstration of search and rescue techniques according to legislative and organisational requirements
• third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

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

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.

Assess may include :

• number and condition of people
• contributing factors
• hazards and risks
• first aid or treatment required.

Dive incident  may include:

• near drowning
• hypothermia
• cramps
• choking
• running low on air
• entanglement
• conscious or unconscious
• decompression illnesses
• barotrauma
• nitrogen narcosis
• contaminated air
• minor aquatic life injuries.

Industry technical and safety criteria  may include:

• British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC)
• Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
• SCUBA Schools International (SSI).

Relevant legislation  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• permits or permission for access
• environmental regulations
• marine regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• communication protocols
• code of ethics
• minimal impact codes.

Hazards  may include:

• temperature extremes
• group management
• partial and or changing pressure
• temperature and weather extremes
• rough conditions
• rocks and reefs
• water depth
• entanglement
• disorientation
• squeezes
• barotrauma
• aquatic animals and plants.

Others  may include:

• diver or divers to be rescued
• rescuers or instructors
• other divers.

Rescue  may include:

• ascent
• searches
• equipment removal
• rescuee breathing
• tows
• calling expert assistance
• exits.

Equipment  may include:

• SCUBA diving equipment
• navigation equipment
• search and rescue equipment.

Underwater search techniques  may include:

• linear
• circular
• U pattern
• jack stay
• expanding square.

Action  may include:

• marking diver's position
• freeing diver
• providing more gas
• bringing diver to the surface
• making diver buoyant
• carrying out continuous artificial respiration
• attracting help
• towing the diver to a boat or to land.

Treatment may include :

• danger, response, airway, breathing, circulation routine
• expired air resuscitation
• cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• injury or illness or shock related treatment
• providing first aid until professional medical help arrives.

Industry standards  may include:

• Australian Resuscitation Council standards
• first aid techniques and standards.

Oxygen equipment  may include:

• demand valve or free flow systems
• face masks
• regulator and cylinder
• flow rates.

Oxygen use standards  may include:

• equipment modifications
• explosion
• fire
• handling
• charging
• testing.