Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare and respond to the rescue
- Operation and task information is obtained from communication centre or supervisor.
- Rescue equipment/resources are identified and selected based on incident information received.
- 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.
- Anticipated situational and environmental hazards are discussed with rescue team members while on approach and are used as the basis for the development of a rescue plan.
- Assess the rescue scene
- Information is collected from relevant persons at scene and observations are made of the scene to determine location, number, entrapment and condition of casualties.
- Risk assessment on situational and environmental hazards is conducted and control measures to ensure safety to self, other team members and casualty are developed.
- Communication with other team members is maintained during assessment to gather further information from their observations.
- Request for additional personnel and/or specialist equipment based on risk assessment is reported to supervisor.
- Personal capabilities and limitations of self and other team members are recognised and referred to the supervisor, based on assessment of rescue scene.
- Develop primary and secondary rescue plans
- Rescue and recovery techniques suitable to the casualty condition, entrapment, location and swiftwater and floodwater conditions are identified.
- Primary and secondary rescue plans are developed based on risk assessment, identification of appropriate rescue and recovery techniques and consultation from team members and other agencies.
- Equipment and resources are selected to perform rescues and recoveries as identified by the rescue plan.
- Job roles and equipment are allocated to other team members.
- In conjunction with the primary plan, deployment of secondary rescue plan downstream is implemented and is acted upon.
- Use mechanical advantage systems
- Situations requiring the use of mechanical advantage systems are identified.
- Type of system required is determined in accordance with contextual issues, and organisational policies and procedures.
- Suitable rope and mechanical advantage systems are established to perform rescues and recoveries in a range of situations.
- System equipment is used in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and organisational policies and procedures, to ensure that design limits are not exceeded.
- System is modified to increase efficiency, where necessary, and communication is maintained throughout.
- Gain access and perform rescue on casualty
- Isolation techniques are used to stabilise positioning of casualty to assist in extrication and management of conscious casualty.
- Craft is tethered to perform a rescue or recovery, where required by the rescue plan.
- Rescue techniques and equipment are deployed to gain access to casualty as identified in the rescue plan.
- Rescue plan is implemented and casualty is extricated from entrapment or secured by using rescue techniques and equipment.
- Remove casualty from swiftwater and floodwater
- Conclude swiftwater and floodwater rescue
- Prior to leaving the scene, equipment is recovered, cleaned and maintained in accordance with manufacturer guidelines and organisational procedures.
- During cleaning of rescue equipment and personal protective equipment, hygiene procedures are followed in accordance with organisational procedures.
- Where identified, signs and symptoms of operational stress in self and others are recognised and reported to appropriate personnel.
- Operational debrief is participated in or conducted, in accordance with role during rescue.
- Documentation is completed to organisational standards and job role.
- Use rope and mechanical advantage systems
- Situations requiring the use of rope system and mechanical advantage systems are identified.
- Type of system required is based on the situation, and organisational policies and procedures.
- Suitable rope and mechanical advantage systems are established to perform rescues and recoveries in a range of situations.
- System equipment is used in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and organisational policies and procedures, to ensure that design limits are not exceeded.
- System is modified to increase efficiency, where necessary, and communication is maintained throughout.