Assessor Resource

PUASAR013A
Participate in an aquatic rescue operation

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Participating in an aquatic rescue operation, normally 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 rescue and appropriate post-rescue recovery. Successful achievement of this unit will require practical and effective application of skills in a real or simulated rescue operation.

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

This unit covers the competency required to participate in rescue operations as a member of an aquatic rescue team, including inland rivers, lakes, dams, surf zones and oceans. This unit underpins specialist rescue operations.

Participation in a rescue operation may involve working with personnel who are trained appropriately to treat casualties including first aid officers, lifesavers, lifeguards, ambulance crew, doctors, nurses and paramedics.

This unit replaces PUASAR009B Participate in an aquatic rescue operation.

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:

apply safe work practices in rescue operations

use equipment in accordance with organisational procedures

respond and react to instructions in a safe, correct and timely manner

correctly select and wear personal protective equipment in accordance with organisational requirements

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated across a range of rescue operations over time to ensure identified situational variables are consistently achieved

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in a range of rescue operations while on the job or in a simulated environment and under a variety of weather conditions.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

rescue and personal protective equipment listed in the Range Statement

suitable environment necessary to conduct a range of rescue operations listed in the Range Statement

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

participate as a team member

use rescue equipment

work on a constantly moving platform

Required Knowledge

capabilities and limitations of rescue equipment

casualty handling techniques

composition of team, and roles and responsibilities of team members

environmental hazards

manual handling techniques

nationally agreed hazard marking systems

organisational policies and procedures (such as relevant legislation; operational, corporate and strategic plans; operational performance standards; operational policies and procedures; organisational personnel and occupational health and safety practices and guidelines; organisational quality standards; organisation's approach to environmental management and sustainability)

personal hygiene

procedures for reporting injuries and accidents

relevant legislative and regulatory requirements

safety precautions

surface search and surface clearance of casualties

techniques and aids

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.

Rescue operations may include participation in:

Aquatic search and rescue

Bar rescue

Boating rescue

Cliff rescue

Open water sea rescue

River, lake or dam rescue

Surf rescue

Rescue equipment may include:

Boards

Flotation equipment

Hand tools

Life rafts

Lighting equipment

Rescue vessels

Ropes

Tubes

Winch

Personal protective equipment may include:

Appropriate protective clothing

Ear protection

Helmet

Infection protection

Personal floating devices

Reflective vests

Respiratory protection

Safety glasses

Safety gloves

Sun protection

Wetsuits

Hazards may include:

Adverse weather

Cliffs and rocks

Hazardous creatures

Hazardous materials

Insufficient light

Other craft and users

Pollution

Piers

Sandbanks, bars and rips

Sea conditions

Surf type

Environmental conditions may include:

Effects of weather

Sea, surf and ocean conditions

Shallow water, bars and rips

Tides

Communication techniques may include:

Non-verbal

Signs and signals

Touch

Verbal

Written

Operational documentation may include:

Incident reports

Legislation

Organisational policies and procedures

Hygiene precautions may include:

Avoiding contact with body fluids

Washing hands

Wearing appropriate protective clothing

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
Operation and task information is obtained and discussed with team members 
Appropriate rescue equipment is identified and selected based on task information as directed by supervisor 
Personal protective equipment is selected based on the nature of the rescue operation 
Any further details of the nature of the rescue are received en route 
Hazards are identified on approach to rescue scene 
Methods for minimising hazards are discussed and agreed to by team members 
Hazards and environmental conditions are minimised or controlled 
Communication with other team members is maintained using appropriate techniques and terminology 
Health, safety and security procedures are correctly followed in accordance with organisational policy and relevant legislation 
Personal capabilities and limitations are recognised and referred to supervisor 
Need for additional personnel and/or specialist equipment is reported to supervisor 
Access to incident and/or casualties is gained using techniques and equipment in accordance with organisational procedures 
Rescue procedures are conducted in accordance with supervisor's instructions and organisational procedures 
Casualties are prepared for removal in accordance with organisational policy and procedures 
Casualties are extricated safely using appropriate equipment, rescue techniques and organisational procedures 
Equipment is recovered, cleaned and maintained to organisational standards and manufacturers' procedures, and is restored to maintain operational readiness 
Where identified, signs and symptoms of operational stress in self and others are reported to relevant personnel 
Operational debriefing is participated in and operational documentation is completed to organisational standards 
Hygiene precautions are implemented in accordance with organisational requirements 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PUASAR013A - Participate in an aquatic rescue operation
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

PUASAR013A - Participate in an aquatic rescue operation

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: