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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Assess the situation
   • Identify physical hazards and minimise according to work health and safety (WHS) requirements and workplace procedures
   • Assess risks to first aider and others and determine response to ensure prompt control of situation
   • Ascertain and prioritise need for emergency services/medical assistance and undertake triage where required
2. Manage the casualty
   • Seek agreement for management of casualty injury/illness from appropriate person, where relevant
   • Determine welfare procedure and implement according to casualty needs
   • Control effects of injury and determine first aid management to meet the needs of the casualty and situation
   • Administer medication according to relevant legislation and manufacturer/supplier instructions and subject to casualty regime
   • Monitor and respond to casualty condition in a timely manner in accordance with effective first aid principles
   • Correctly operate life support equipment, where appropriate, according to relevant legislation and manufacturer/supplier instructions
   • Finalise management according to casualty needs and first aid principles
3. Coordinate first aid activities until arrival of medical assistance
   • Identify available resources and establish communication links with emergency management services and medical assistance personnel as required
   • Deploy correct amount of resources to appropriate locations in an effective manner to ensure timely arrival of required resources
   • Document provision of resources and recommend modifications
   • Monitor management of casualties in accordance with first aid principles and workplace procedures
   • Coordinate evacuation of casualties according to worksite evacuation procedures
   • Arrange support service for personnel involved in the incident in accordance with workplace principles and procedures
4. Communicate essential incident details
   • Maintain communication with relevant personnel using media and equipment
   • Communicate first aid information with other providers/carers to meet their needs and in accordance with workplace procedures
   • Provide information calmly to reassure casualty, adopting a communication style to match casualty level of consciousness

Range Statement

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.
Regulatory framework	The latest version of all legislation, regulations, industry codes of practice and Australian/international standards, or the version specified by the local regulatory authority, must be used, and include one or more of the following: legislative requirements, including work health and safety (WHS) industry codes of practice and guidelines environmental regulations and guidelines Australian and other standards licence and certification requirements All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.
Procedures	All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures. Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, include one or more of the following: emergency procedures work instructions standard operating procedures (SOPs) safe work method statements (SWMS) formulas/recipes batch sheets temporary instructions any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant
Injuries and conditions managed	Injuries and conditions managed include one or more of the following: abdominal injuries allergic reactions bleeding burns (thermal, chemical, friction and electrical) cardiac conditions chemical contamination cold injuries crush injuries dislocations drowning envenomation (snake, spider, insect and marine bites) environmental conditions (hypothermia, dehydration and heat stroke) epilepsy, diabetes, asthma and other medical conditions eye injuries fractures head injuries insect/marine bites minor skin injuries neck and spinal injuries needle stick injuries poisoning and toxic substances respiratory management of asthma and/or choking shock smoke inhalation soft tissue injuries, including sprains, strains, dislocations substance abuse and illicit drugs unconsciousness, including not breathing and no pulse
First aid management	First aid management includes the following: administration of analgesic gases administration of medications cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) semi-automatic external defibrillator (SAED) expired air resuscitation (EAR) infection control bleeding control airway management delivery of oxygen care of unconscious First aid management requires consideration of the following: location and nature of the workplace the environmental conditions (e.g. electricity, biological risks, weather and motor vehicle accidents) location of emergency service personnel the use and availability of first aid equipment and resources infection control allergies to medications Medications include one or more of the following: oxygen pain relief - paracetamol in accordance with state and territory legislation, analgesics (penthrane, entonox - used in mining industry) asthma - aerosol bronchodilators: casualty's own or from first aid kit in accordance with state and territory legislation severe allergic reactions - adrenaline: subject to casualty's own regime heart attack - aspirin First aid management must be documented and include, as appropriate, the following: time fluid intake/output blood vomit faeces urine administration of medication, including time, date, person administering, dose vital signs
First aid principles	Established first aid principles include the following: checking the site for danger to self, casualty and others minimising the danger checking and maintaining casualty's airway, breathing and circulation
Resources and equipment	Resources and equipment, appropriate to the risk, include one or more of the following: blood pressure cuff oxygen resuscitation/cylinders defibrillation units pressure bandages thermometers injections backboards stretchers soft bag resuscitator first aid kits eyewash thermal blankets pocket face masks rubber gloves dressing spacer device cervical collars
Communication systems	Communication systems include one or more of the following: mobile phones satellite phones HF/VHF radio flags flares two-way radio email electronic equipment other communication methods/equipment defined in organisation procedures
Hazards and risks	Hazards and risks must be identified and controlled. Hazards include one or more of the following: unavailable first aid equipment (oxygen cylinders and defibrillator) bodily fluids other hazards associated with casualty management process heat, smoke, darkness, dust or other atmospheric hazards electricity gas gases and liquids under pressure structural hazards structural collapse equipment failures industrial (machinery, equipment and product) equipment or product mass noise, rotational equipment or vibration plant services (steam, condensate and cooling water) limited head spaces or overhangs working at heights, in restricted or confined spaces, or in environments subjected to heat, noise, dusts or vapours flammability and explosivity hazardous products and materials unauthorised/other personnel or bystanders sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions slippery surfaces, spills or leaks extreme weather other hazards that might arise Identifying risks requires consideration of specific hazards, including the following: what level of harm can occur how harm can occur (various chains of events that could result in harm from the hazard) the likelihood that harm will occur

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Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include the ability to:

assess and monitor casualty’s need for emergency services, medical assistance and other support

apply first aid management techniques

select and use first aid resources and equipment

identify hazards and risks to self, casualty and others and apply control measures

use electronic and manual communication systems

complete workplace forms

accurately document casualty conditions and treatment

coordinate communications, resources and incident management activities

communicate clearly and unambiguously with personnel under stress

interpret information about changing conditions, hazards and individuals’ needs, and make prompt decisions about appropriate action and allocation of resources.

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Knowledge Evidence

Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:

organisational procedures, including those covering:

safety, hazards and hazard control

incident, fire and accident

environmental protection

risk assessment/risk management

hazards that may arise in the job/work environment, and:

their possible causes

potential consequences

risks

appropriate risk controls

basic anatomy and physiology

respiratory/circulatory system

basic toxicology

types and application of medications used in first aid.

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