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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare for construction of visual emergency signals
   • Assess available natural and artificial resources for their application in emergency signalling.
   • Examine local area and identify the ground that would afford optimum visibility to searchers but minimum physical effort to the survivor.
   • Observe and note sun’s transit to determine the optimum placement of reflective signalling devices.
2. Prepare emergency signalling devices for use
   • Site and construct groundtoair emergency signals using purpose signal marker panels and/or improvised markers to optimise visibility from the air.
   • Site and construct tinsel/Christmas tree devices using artificial resources to optimise visibility from the air.
   • Site and construct an emergency signal fire to optimise visibility from the air, considering the prevailing wind’s effect (if any) on smoke trails.
   • Site and excavate shadow trenches, considering the sun’s movement.
   • Prepare purpose-built signalling devices.
3. Employ visual emergency signals
   • Initiate an emergency signal fire and utilise fuel to maximise the visual signature.
   • Attract search aircraft attention by employing purpose-built signalling devices.
   • Interpret and respond to recognition and response signals from search aircraft.
4. Prepare for construction of visual emergency signals
   • Assess available natural and artificial resources for their application in emergency signalling.
   • Examine local area and identify the ground that would afford optimum visibility to searchers but minimum physical effort to the survivor.
   • Observe and note sun’s transit to determine the optimum placement of reflective signalling devices.
5. Prepare emergency signalling devices for use
   • Site and construct groundtoair emergency signals using purpose signal marker panels and/or improvised markers to optimise visibility from the air.
   • Site and construct tinsel/Christmas tree devices using artificial resources to optimise visibility from the air.
   • Site and construct an emergency signal fire to optimise visibility from the air, considering the prevailing wind’s effect (if any) on smoke trails.
   • Site and excavate shadow trenches, considering the sun’s movement.
   • Prepare purpose-built signalling devices.
6. Employ visual emergency signals
   • Initiate an emergency signal fire and utilise fuel to maximise the visual signature.
   • Attract search aircraft attention by employing purpose-built signalling devices.
   • Interpret and respond to recognition and response signals from search aircraft.

Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

selecting combustible and ‘smoking’ materials

constructing, igniting and maintaining a fire

siting and building a trench symbol, visible from the air at 2000 metres may be a simulated trench if ground is too hard.

siting and constructing a tinsel tree, visible from the air at 2000 metres

siting, constructing and maintaining the fuel and foliage stock for the fire

lighting the fire so that it is well ablaze within 120 seconds and then generating smoke through the application of green foliage

interpreting and responding to recognition and response signals from search aircraft, including :

I require your attention

message received and understood

message received but not understood

follow aircraft in same direction

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Knowledge Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

air search/ground search procedures

aircraft recognition and response/international distress signals

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