Assessor Resource

PUASAR011C
Search as a member of an aquatic search team

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Participating in an aquatic search operation, generally as a member of a team, will require the effective application of a variety of skills. Competence in this unit will include appropriate preparedness, response, direct participation in the search, and appropriate post-search recovery. Successful achievement of this unit will require practical and effective application of skills in a real or simulated search operation.

This unit is typically relevant for lifesavers, lifeguards or other personnel who are required to perform or participate in a search (regularly or occasionally) in an aquatic environment.

This unit covers the competency required to search for and locate lost persons and/or items as a member of an aquatic search team including inland rivers, lakes, dams, surf zones and oceans, in a range of search terrain.

While normally undertaken in boats, aquatic searches may also include cliff searches and searches assisted by aerial support or other craft.

Search operations are normally conducted in support of police and may include searches for missing persons, objects and/or evidence.

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

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

comply with search orders

observe the safety of self and others at all times during the search

search during the day and night

correctly apply survival techniques, search safety procedures and lost searcher procedures throughout the search when required

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time during an extended day/night activity during which a variety of searches for persons and objects are undertaken.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in an actual or simulated search environment by observing the individual carry out a number of search activities relating to various search scenarios.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

appropriate environment to conduct the search operation

other organisations in the operation such as police, helicopter rescue, marine search and rescue, other aquatic organisations - as required

Method of assessment

This unit may be assessed with the following unit/s:

PUATEA001B Work in a team.

In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.

Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.

Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:

direct observation

interviewing the candidate

journals and workplace documentation

third party reports from supervisors

written or oral questions

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

deal with clues and location of objects or causalities

implement lost searcher procedures

implement survival techniques

maintain search information

mark and space boundaries

observe the situation/environment

use personal protective equipment correctly

work in a team

Required Knowledge

composition of team, and roles and responsibilities of team members

duty of care

local documentation requirements

local hazards and environmental threats

local operational briefing and debriefing procedures

local operating procedures

lost searcher procedures

map reading

object recovery procedures

recall procedures

relevant state/territory search management arrangements

relevant occupational health and safety principles and practices

requirements to preserve a crime scene and the preservation of evidence

search formations

signs and symptoms of operational stress

survival techniques

verbal and non-verbal communication techniques including hand signals and language style

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Search terrain may include:

Bays and rivers

Lakes and dams

Ocean

Sand

Steep rock areas

Surf

Aquatic searches may be conducted under conditions such as:

Hazardous environmental conditions including:

adverse weather

after dark operations

difficult sea and surf conditions

time pressure

dangerous marine creatures

Ocean or inland environments

Operating as part of a multi-agency response

Task information may include:

Emergency rendezvous points

Number, nature and description of persons or objects that are the focus of the search

Command, control and coordination arrangements

Ocean, surf and sea environmental information

Operating area

Potential hazards

Time constraints

Weather forecast

Search equipment may include:

Compass or other positioning equipment

Food

Maps and charts

Notebook and pencil

Personal first aid equipment

Personal hygiene items

Personal protective equipment, especially lifejackets, EPIRBs, wet weather gear, cold weather clothing, sun protection

Radio communications equipment

Water

Search formations may include:

Creeping line search pattern

Square search pattern

Observation skills may include:

Picking up on physical cues

Scanning

Communication may include:

Auslan gestures

Calming and reassuring a casualty

Face-to-face

Facsimile

Feedback of information

Information technology systems

Land line telephone

Mobile telephone

Radio

Signalling systems

Written

Survival techniques may include:

Conserving water, food and energy

Constructing temporary shelters

Locating other craft

Locating shelter

Obtaining water

Skills relevant to the local areas (such as cold, heat, sea conditions, aquatic conditions)

Operational documentation may include:

Notes or sketches of findings

Other relevant information required for potential coronial or other legal proceedings

Operational stress symptoms may include:

Fatigue

Headaches

Illness

Indecision

Intolerance

Lack of focus

Nausea

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Search operation information and task information is obtained and discussed with team members 
Task information is used to determine personal equipment needed for search operation 
Search equipment is selected and checked for serviceability, and is stored/packed for use 
Faulty equipment is reported to supervisor 
Specified team roles and functions are carried out in accordance with operational and task information 
Search formation or grids are used to locate missing persons or objects 
Search boundaries are marked in line with task requirements 
Observation skills are applied, and any clues or objects located are reported immediately in accordance with organisational procedures 
Communication is maintained with team members throughout the search 
Personal capabilities and limitations are recognised and referred to team leader 
Search safety procedures are implemented 
Survival techniques are applied when necessary 
Lost searcher procedures are implemented when necessary 
Team leader is immediately advised of located persons or findings in accordance with organisational procedures 
Persons or findings are recovered and treated using appropriate search safety procedures 
Initial preservation procedures are implemented to maintain integrity of evidence 
Initial scene preservation is conducted in line with organisational requirements 
Search equipment is recovered, cleaned and maintained in accordance with manufacturers' guidelines and organisational procedures 
Operational debriefing is participated in and operational documentation is completed to organisational standards 
Where identified, symptoms of operational stress are recognised and reported 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PUASAR011C - Search as a member of an aquatic search team
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

PUASAR011C - Search as a member of an aquatic search team

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: